Three Fashion Bug stores in York County will close as the retail chain's new parent company begins shutting doors.

Ascena Retail Group Inc. on Tuesday announced it completed its Friday acquisition of Charming Shoppes Inc., which owns Fashion Bug, Lane Bryant, Catherines Plus Sizes and other brands.

In a news release, Ascena said, by early 2013, it will close all 600 Fashion Bug stores-including local retail outlets in Hanover, Shrewsbury Township and Springettsbury Township.

When and how many employees will be affected was not disclosed.

These new closures round out Fashion Bug's fading retail presence during the last year, when Bensalem, Pa.-based Charming Shoppes closed 124 locations in 2011.

The store closures are part of Bensalem, Pa.-based Charming Shoppes that Ascena doesn't want to keep in the $900 million deal that gave the new parent company access to the plus-size clothing market.

Ascena also owns misses fashion stores Dressbarn and Maurices, along with the Justice chain, which is tailored to girls ages 7 through 14.

To further focus on its clothing brands, Ascena also said in the release that it may sell Figi's, a Wisconsin-based cheese products and gifts catalog. Although Figi's is a growing and profitable business, it doesn't fit in with Ascena's apparel brands, the release said.

The recent acquisition of Charming Shoppes gives Ascena control of about 3,800 stores until the 600 Fashion Bug locations in 43 states are closed.

- Candy Woodall can also be reached at cwoodall@yorkdispatch.com.