If you’ve walked past what used to be a Draper’s & Damon’s shop at your local shopping center sometime in the last few years and found it empty, you’re not alone. For a lot of longtime fans of the women’s clothing retailer, it’s been a confusing stretch. Did the company go under for good, or is Draper’s & Damon’s still around in some form? Let’s walk through what actually happened to Draper’s & Damon’s and where things stand now.
The History: A Brand Known for a Certain Style
Draper’s & Damon’s isn’t just any women’s clothing chain. The retailer launched all the way back in 1927 in Pasadena, California. For decades, they developed a pretty loyal following, especially among women who appreciated well-made, comfortable, and classic clothing — often targeted toward mature shoppers.
If you ask people who shopped there in the ‘90s or early 2000s, they’ll remember things like matching sets, vibrant jackets, and solid basics. The stores were often known for friendly staff and personalized service, a rare thing in the world of fast fashion and huge mall chains.
But like a lot of mid-market specialty retailers, Draper’s & Damon’s eventually reached a crossroads. Foot traffic in malls was dropping. Catalog orders weren’t what they used to be. Even loyal shoppers were moving online.
How the Physical Stores Closed: 2017 Was the Turning Point
Around late March 2017, the company announced it would close every single one of its physical locations by April 30 of that year. This was a sharp pivot, but it wasn’t a bankruptcy or complete business shutdown. Instead, the plan was to move entirely to online and catalog-based sales.
This closure wasn’t small. A news report at the time confirmed that all 24 Draper’s & Damon’s stores, spread across the U.S., would be shutting their doors within about a month. Employees were told to expect layoffs. Some outlets reported that local malls felt the loss, since the stores were often shopping center mainstays for decades.
The closures meant hundreds of staff lost jobs, and in some cases, longtime customers expressed disappointment. Some towns lost not just the store, but a bit of their retail identity.
The Pivot to Catalog and Online Business
After the stores closed, it wasn’t the end of the brand. Draper’s & Damon’s kept shipping from warehouses and taking orders online and by phone as they had for many years. The shift was pretty clear: no more in-person browsing, but the company’s familiar catalog kept arriving in mailboxes, and Drapers.com stayed in business.
It’s a path that some other mall retailers have tried — sharpen their focus, cut costs by closing real estate, and double down on online and catalog sales. Draper’s & Damon’s aimed to serve both their longtime catalog shoppers and a new online crowd.
As of now, their site remains active. You can scroll through updated seasonal collections, shop for “easy care” clothing, and place orders like you always could. There’s still a phone number for catalog shopping, and the brand’s styling and product categories feel recognizable, even after several years.
What It’s Like as a Draper’s & Damon’s Customer Now
Let’s talk about what it means for the shoppers. For those who liked the in-store experience — that hands-on “is this the right shade of teal?” decision-making, fitting-room chats with staff, or even just the excuse to get out of the house — the shift hit hard. Some customers have made their voices heard in online forums and the company’s social media comments.
Others have adjusted to the new ways of shopping. Many loyalists continue to rely on the catalog, especially those who are less comfortable browsing online. The company pushes exclusive online-only styles and promotions, trying to bridge the gap and offer something for every group.
Look at customer reviews on sites like Facebook, Sitejabber, or Trustpilot, and you’ll see a mix. Some folks comment on shipping delays or sizing quirks, but others praise the continued quality or even say they’re relieved Draper’s & Damon’s didn’t disappear completely.
Social media is where you’ll spot real-time feedback. The Draper’s & Damon’s Facebook page, for example, still posts daily or weekly deals, outfit inspiration, and comments with direct links to the site. Engagement is sometimes limited, but the community seems steady — especially when you consider that catalog-first customer bases aren’t always super vocal online.
Checking the Evidence: Are They Still in Business Right Now?
So, what’s the current situation if you’re looking for the latest update? The short answer is yes, Draper’s & Damon’s is still operating as an online and catalog brand. The site (Drapers.com) is live and accepts orders. The company posts active promotions, and emails get sent out with discount codes and seasonal introductions.
Independent directory sites like Google Maps and Yelp list most (if not all) Draper’s & Damon’s store locations as closed, often labeled “permanently closed.” There haven’t been any news announcements about a fresh round of closures, bankruptcy, or a total wind-down of business.
On the company’s official Facebook page, they still use the tagline “always open at drapers.com.” Comments seem to be answered regularly, and their posts encourage people to shop the latest catalog or online releases. This isn’t a dormant page or a brand that’s phasing itself out.
For day-to-day shoppers, this means you can still buy from Draper’s & Damon’s — you’ll just need to do it from your computer or by phone. If you’re wondering about order fulfillment or website uptime, multiple recent orders and website checks show that everything appears to be operating as expected.
How Online and Catalog Retail Works for a Brand Like This
There’s something kind of old-school about catalog shopping in the era of next-day delivery and social media ads. But for some clothing brands, it’s not a thing of the past. Draper’s & Damon’s seems to have decided their core buyer isn’t looking for TikTok trends or the latest drops. Instead, their customer base wants predictability, classic styles, and a trusted source where things “just fit.”
The company offers free catalog requests on their homepage, plus direct phone service and a customer service number. Seasonal emails and digital lookbooks keep shoppers in the loop. When you look at this approach, it’s a blend of old and new.
But it’s not all smooth sailing. Over the last couple of years, some fashion retailers that tried to pivot from physical to 100% online went quiet after a while or struggled to keep momentum. It takes strong customer loyalty to keep the catalog model running; newer companies typically don’t even attempt this route.
For businesses thinking about shifting their model, switching to a catalog/online-only setup can be risky. There’s a need for clear communication, fast shipping, and customer support. If you’re looking for ways to plan such a pivot yourself, you might find some helpful tips in resources like Upward Business Plan.
What Could the Future Hold for Draper’s & Damon’s?
It’s always hard to predict the future for these legacy retail brands. Some, after closing their stores, manage to hang on online for years; others quietly disappear when the catalog audience ages out. So far, Draper’s & Damon’s looks to be staying the course, at least for now.
If you’re a Draper’s & Damon’s fan, it’s worth signing up for their catalog or following their Facebook page. Promotions come up regularly — especially as seasons change — and customer service is available by phone and email. Delivery times vary, but feedback suggests the company is keeping up with most orders.
If you’re new to the brand or curious about what happened to their presence in local malls, this is why you won’t find a store to walk into anymore. The company is betting there are enough shoppers who still want the selection, comfort, and classic style offered — even if they have to order by mail or click a “buy now” button instead of browsing racks.
So, Is Draper’s & Damon’s Going Out of Business?
Let’s pull it together simply. Draper’s & Damon’s no longer has physical stores. Those all closed back in 2017, and employees were let go. But the company didn’t disappear. Instead, it refocused on selling clothing through its catalog and online store.
If you see rumors online, it’s often people noticing the empty storefronts or missing their old shopping routines. The brand, though, continues to do business digitally and by mail. Unless there’s another round of announcements or a change in company strategy, the way Draper’s & Damon’s has positioned itself looks here to stay, at least for now.
If you have a story about shopping there — whether recently or decades ago — drop a comment or let friends know about this update. Whether you miss the old stores or you still browse the catalog, you’re not alone. And if you’re looking to order, just remember: the racks and dressing rooms are gone, but Drapers.com is “always open.”
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