Deathwatch 2007: Gap Delivers The Smackdown

Forth & Towne, we hardly knew ye and that was the problem. In the past 18 months, Gap Inc. quietly rolled out a new chain targeting Baby Boomer women with a unique selling point of organizing the stores conservative goods into four sections: career, Chico-knockoffs, T-shirts and Jeans.

Sound like a place you (or your mother) would want to shop?

Apparently, you're not alone.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the stores never caught traction and were saddled with image and identity issues. They'll all be shutted by the end of March and the money reinvested into trying to help out the drowning Gap and Old Navy brands.

Oh, and about 550 employees will be "affected."