The Gap’s closure leaves gap at Centerra

LOVELAND — The Gap’s apparel store in Loveland will close today, one of 70 locations in the United States and Canada to be shuttered as part of what the San Francisco-based chain called a “fleet optimization” in the wake of sluggish holiday sales.

Eight employees worked at the store in the Promenade Shops at Centerra as of today. The 10,485-square-foot store opened in November 2006, Promenade Shops marketing manager Tiffany Villavicencio said in an email to BizWest, adding that “their departure coincides with their original lease expiration date.”

Gap corporate officials did not return calls seeking more details before BizWest’s afternoon deadline.

“As…