Founded in 1931 in Duluth,[2] the chain comprises more than 1,000 stores in the United States and Canada, primarily located in shopping malls and smaller towns.

[7] In March 2019, Ascena sold a majority stake in Maurices to a U.S. subsidiary of London-based private equity firm OpCapita LLP at a valuation of $300 million.

Maurices' leadership team remained in place, with the addition of former GAP CEO Jeff Kirwan as the company's new executive chairman.

In a public statement released after the transaction, OpCapita's CEO Henry Jackson said he would “welcome the continued support of Ascena through their retained stake and the range of services they will provide.”[9] In November 2011, Maurices announced a cooperation with celebrity designer Christopher Straub from the reality television show Project Runway season 6, which aired on Lifetime Network.

[10] Straub also designed a plush puppy as part of the collection to benefit the American Cancer Society.