Final liquidation sales have begun at 103 Steve & Barry's stores that are being closed as part of a plan to turn around the struggling retailer.

In the Pittsburgh region, locations being closed include sites at Hillcrest Shopping Center in Lower Burrell; Westmoreland Mall in Greensburg; Johnstown Galleria; Ft. Steuben Mall in Steubenville, Ohio; Ohio Valley Mall in St. Clairsville, Ohio; and Morgantown Mall in West Virginia.

No final closing date has been set for those sites, according to a company-issued store-status list.

The discount clothing retailer was purchased out of bankruptcy last month by private investment firms, which plan to retain about 170 stores. The new owners plan to continue carrying lines associated with celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Venus Williams, Amanda Bynes and Bubba Watson.

"We're finalizing a strategic business plan that will put Steve & Barry's on track to meet our profitability goals over the long term. The decision to operate with a smaller, more productive store base is integral to that plan," said Andy Todd, president of Steve & Barry's, in a prepared statement.

"While the business rationale for this action is sound, we deeply regret the impact these store closings will have on our associates, our customers and the communities where these stores are located."

Area stores that will remain open include sites in Century III Mall in West Mifflin, Norwin Hills shopping center in Irwin, Beaver Valley Mall in Monaca and Millcreek Mall in Erie.