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JCPenney, a stalwart of American retail for over a century, is set to close its doors
at seven locations across the country this weekend. This marks the culmination of
a process initiated earlier this year, as the company bids farewell to employees
and customers at these specific stores. The closures, which will impact
communities in California, Idaho, and several other states, underscore the dynamic
and often challenging landscape of modern retail.
A spokesperson for JCPenney confirmed the imminent closures to TODAY.com on
May 20th, providing clarity on the specific locations facing their final sales. This
confirmation follows a February statement from the department store chain, also
issued to TODAY.com, where they had announced plans to close a "handful" of
stores by mid-year. At the time, the company emphasized that these were isolated
closures, not indicative of a broader strategy to significantly reduce its store count.
"While we do not have plans to significantly reduce our store count, we expect a
handful of JCPenney stores to close by mid-year," the company stated in February.
"The decision to close a store is never an easy one, but isolated closures do
happen from time to time due to expiring lease agreements, market changes or
other factors." This explanation aimed to provide context for the closures,
attributing them to individual circumstances rather than a systemic decline.
Furthermore, the February statement explicitly clarified that these looming
closures were "unrelated to the recent Catalyst Brands merger." This merger, which
took place in January 2025, saw JCPenney merge with the multi-brand retailer
SPARC Group, forming Catalyst Brands. This new entity brought together six
prominent retail names, including Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, and Lucky Brand,
under one unified corporate umbrella. The company's assertion was that the store
closures were a separate operational matter, distinct from its broader strategic
corporate restructuring.
In acknowledging the impact of these closures, JCPenney expressed gratitude to
those affected. "We are grateful to our dedicated associates and the loyal
customers who have shopped at these locations," the February statement
continued. The company also reiterated its commitment to its ongoing mission:
"We continue to work to make every dollar count for America’s diverse, working
families and welcome them to shop at one of our ~650 other JCPenney stores
across the country and at JCPenney.com." This message aimed to reassure
customers that JCPenney remains a viable and accessible shopping destination,
despite the select closures.
The seven locations, which have been serving their communities under the
JCPenney banner since the company's founding in 1902, are slated for final closure
by May 25, 2025. These stores represent a small fraction of JCPenney's overall
footprint, but their closure will undoubtedly be felt by the local communities they
have served.
The impacted stores are:
The Shops at Tanforan in San Bruno, California
The Shops At Northfield in Denver, Colorado
Pine Ridge Mall in Pocatello, Idaho
West Ridge Mall in Topeka, Kansas
Fox Run Mall in Newington, New Hampshire
Asheville Mall in Asheville, North Carolina
Charleston Town Center in Charleston, West Virginia
For many, JCPenney has been more than just a store; it has been a community hub,
a place for generations to shop for everything from clothing and home goods to
appliances and jewelry. The closing of these specific locations marks the end of an
era for those communities, prompting reflection on the evolving retail landscape
and the enduring legacy of department stores in America. As these doors close,
JCPenney continues to adapt, navigating the complexities of modern commerce
while striving to remain a relevant and accessible option for American families.
This latest round of shutdowns comes nearly five years after JCPenney filed for
Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2020, a period during which the company
shuttered over 200 of its U.S. locations. While JCPenney successfully emerged from
bankruptcy in December 2020 under new ownership, the company continues to
strategically assess its physical footprint.
A JCPenney spokesperson indicated that these specific closures are primarily due
to factors such as expiring lease agreements, market changes, or other strategic
considerations, and are not directly related to the company's recent merger with
SPARC Group to form Catalyst Brands earlier this year. Catalyst Brands, which also
includes retailers like Brooks Brothers, Aéropostale, and Eddie Bauer, aims to open
new store locations and expand its workforce.
The affected JCPenney stores are spread across seven states, marking the end of an
era for these long-standing retail presences within their communities. Shoppers at
these locations can expect deep discounts and final clearance sales as the stores
prepare to close their doors for good.
Here is the list of JCPenney stores confirmed to be closing on or before May 25, 2025:
California:
San Bruno: The Shops at Tanforan, 1122 El Camino Real
Colorado:
Denver: The Shops At Northfield, 8568 E 49th Avenue
Idaho:
Pocatello: Pine Ridge Mall, 4201 Yellowstone Avenue
Kansas:
Topeka: West Ridge Mall, 1821 SW Wanamaker Road
New Hampshire:
Newington: Fox Run Mall, 50 Fox Run Road
North Carolina:
Asheville: Asheville Mall, 3 S Tunnel Road
West Virginia:
Charleston: Charleston Town Center, 401 Lee Street E
It is worth noting that a previously announced closure for the JCPenney store at
Westfield Annapolis Mall in Annapolis, Maryland, has been postponed. Through an
extended lease agreement, that location is now expected to remain open until at
least August 31, 2025.
The closures reflect a broader trend in the retail industry, where traditional
department stores face intense competition from online retailers and evolving
consumer preferences. While JCPenney has diversified its business to include
online sales and strategic partnerships, the downsizing of its physical store count
is a testament to the ongoing need for brick-and-mortar retailers to adapt and
optimize their operations in a dynamic retail landscape. The impact of these
closures will undoubtedly be felt by employees and local communities, as yet
another chapter closes for these JCPenney locations.
