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JCPenney to Shutter 7 Stores by May, Maryland Location Spared
JCPenney shoppers are running out of time as the company prepares to close seven stores across seven different states by the end of May. The decision, announced in a new statement obtained by The Independent, highlights isolated shutdowns and confirms that these changes are not part of a major downsizing.
Originally, eight closures were expected, but the Westfield Annapolis Mall store in Maryland has been given a new lease on life. JCPenney reached an agreement to extend the lease through August 2025, with talks ongoing for a longer-term deal.
“We are excited to announce that we have agreed a lease extension to keep the store open at least through August 31, 2025,” the company stated, noting the liquidation event for this location has been cancelled.
List of JCPenney Stores Closing by May 2025
The following JCPenney locations are confirmed to shut their doors:
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San Bruno, California – The Shops at Tanforan
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Denver, Colorado – The Shops at Northfield
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Pocatello, Idaho – Pine Ridge Mall
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Topeka, Kansas – West Ridge Mall
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Newington, New Hampshire – Mall at Fox Run
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Asheville, North Carolina – Asheville Mall
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Charleston, West Virginia – Charleston Town Center
Despite these closures, JCPenney emphasized this is not the beginning of a widespread store shutdown.
JCPenney's Future After Catalyst Brands Merger
Earlier this year, JCPenney merged with SPARC Group — the company behind popular retail names like Aéropostale, Nautica, Brooks Brothers, Lucky Brand, and Eddie Bauer. The merger led to the formation of Catalyst Brands, with JCPenney’s former CEO Marc Rosen taking the lead role in the new organization.
“Together, we bring scale, expertise, and broad appeal to customers across America,” Rosen said. “Our vision focuses on quality, value, and everyday fashion.”
The company has assured customers that the store closures are not related to this merger.
A Tough Few Years for Retailers
Like many other traditional retailers, JCPenney faced major financial challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020. At the time, the company reached a deal with lenders to cut debt and pursue a sale.
“We look forward to coming out of this stronger,” former CEO Jill Soltau had said, as the company outlined its "Plan for Renewal."
JCPenney isn't alone in facing tough times. Other major chains like Big Lots and Party City have also announced significant closures. Big Lots closed over 300 stores, while Party City shut down all U.S. locations in late 2023.
Store Closures Expected to Rise in 2025
Retail experts predict that store closures in the U.S. will continue to grow in 2025, with Coresight Research estimating around 15,000 closures next year — more than double the number in 2024, which saw 7,325 closures.
