Chico’s has closed its Rio location at 20 Grand Corner Ave., Ste. B in Gaithersburg.
The women’s clothing retailer still maintains a presence in Montgomery County, with active boutiques at Congressional Plaza in Rockville, The Shops at Sumner Place in Bethesda, and Burnt Mills Shopping Center in Silver Spring. The brand previously operated a Potomac Village location that has also closed.
Chico’s is known for its private-label apparel and accessories, catering primarily to women 35 and older. The brand focuses on relaxed fits, bold patterns, and signature design elements like its “hidden-fit” slimming technology. It also stands out for its unique sizing system, which ranges from 0 to 4 rather than traditional numeric sizes.
Founded in 1983 by Marvin and Helene Gralnick on Sanibel Island, Florida, Chico’s began as a small boutique selling Mexican folk art and cotton sweaters before evolving into a nationwide fashion chain. Its Travelers collection, featuring wrinkle-resistant fabrics, remains one of its most recognizable product lines.
