Parker School Uniforms Has Closed Its Stores Across Texas and Other States

Parker School Uniforms, a major supplier of uniforms for private schools, has abruptly closed. The Houston-based company in business for more than 80 years has left schools and parents scrambling.Parker has dressed tens of thousands of private school students every year with pleated skirts, plaid jumpers, blue blazers with unique crests, buttoned-down shirts and khakis.It operated 36 stores in Texas, Alabama, California, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Local stores located in Dallas, Carrollton, Plano and Fort Worth were closed Friday.The Houston Chronicle reported Thursday that Parker closed its doors after a rough patch that had frustrated parents complaining about unfilled orders and a lack of communication. The company wasn't answering the phone at its Houston headquarters. KTRK TV in Houston said it obtained an email that was sent to employees notifying them that it was "permanently shutting down all our operations, including the entire corporate headquarters, and terminating all employees."According to the Better Business Bureau's website, it started receiving complaints in 2015 saying Parker wasn't providing customers with items they had paid for.Parker also had an e-commerce business and as recently as last week was holding 35 percent off sales. Its website and Facebook page aren't accessible, but competitors are offering parents help.Private schools direct parents to suppliers who have agreed to stock their specific uniforms. For years, Parker dominated its markets. Several local schools list it, including the Episcopal School of Dallas and St. John's Episcopal School in East Dallas, as their official supplier. Other local schools, including Hockaday, switched from Parker to other companies in recent year. Lands' End is recommended by many local Catholic Diocese schools including St. Patrick Catholic School in Lake Highlands. Academic Outfitters of Plano has added several schools to its roster. On Friday, Academic Outfitters, which is a supplier to Jesuit and Ursaline students, invited Parker customers to fill out a form online saying it can help. "Parker is gone, but we're here to outfit your school!" Academic Outfitters said on its website.Twitter: @MariaHalkias  Continue reading...