In another transition for one of America’s best-known department stores, JCPenney will be closing seven stores nationwide permanently this Sunday, May 25, as part of an ongoing review of the company’s retail operations.
The company confirmed the stores would close following a mix of issues — including expiring leases and shifting market conditions — that led to the decision.
Stores Set to Close This Weekend
Shoppers in the following areas will see their local JCPenney stores close doors for good:
- San Bruno, CA – The Shops at Tanforan
- Denver, CO – The Shops at Northfield
- Pocatello, ID – Pine Ridge Mall
- Topeka, KS – West Ridge Mall
- Newington, NH – Fox Run Mall
- Asheville, NC – Asheville Mall
- Charleston, WV – Charleston Town Center
Each of the affected stores is currently hosting clearance sales ahead of their final day of business.
One Store to Stay Open Longer Than Expected
While the company had previously planned to close its Westfield Annapolis Mall location in Maryland, JCPenney now says the store will remain open through August 31. A lease extension was secured, giving the site a short-term reprieve.
Closures Not Linked to Recent Brand Merger
The firm was adamant that the most recent store closures do not relate to its new announced merger under the Catalyst Brands umbrella. That business, formed earlier this year through a joint venture with Forever 21, encompasses brands such as Brooks Brothers, Aéropostale, Lucky Brand, Nautica, and Eddie Bauer.
A JCPenney spokeswoman clarified that the closing of the stores is a distinct issue and primarily a result of localized business considerations and real estate issues, rather than a change in corporate strategy.
Continuing Recovery After Bankruptcy
JCPenney is still recovering from its 2020 bankruptcy filing, which resulted in more than 200 stores being closed and the sale of the company. The store was acquired by Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management later in the year and has since been refocusing on efficiency.
In January, the firm launched the Catalyst Brands alliance, which will see 1,800 new stores opened throughout the U.S. and the creation of approximately 60,000 new jobs. Despite corporate restructuring within the Catalyst group, JCPenney indicates that its store footprint continues to be a priority.
What Customers Should Know
For those around the closed stores, it’s time to reap the benefits of going-out-of-business sales and in-store promotions. Store operations can be different this last week, so shoppers are advised to call their nearby mall or company website to confirm.
Closure is due to be finished by the end of business on May 25, marking the end of JCPenney’s operations at those seven stores.