If you’ve walked into a JCPenney lately, you might have noticed things feel a little different. Maybe the lighting is brighter, or perhaps you're seeing more of those "Beauty Insider" displays. But for seven communities across the country, that familiar red logo is about to disappear for good.
It's happening. JCPenney to close seven more stores nationwide by May 25th.
Honestly, it’s a tough pill to swallow for loyal shoppers who have spent decades buying Sunday best outfits and back-to-school sneakers at these locations. This isn't just a random decision, though. It’s part of a much larger, and frankly quite complicated, "optimization" strategy by the company's owners, Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management. They’re trying to trim the fat to keep the rest of the 650-plus stores breathing.
The Locations Getting the Axe
So, who is on the list? We aren't talking about a massive "going out of business" fire sale for the whole brand, but for these specific spots, the end is coming fast. By May 25th, these doors will lock for the last time:
- San Bruno, California: The Shops at Tanforan
- Denver, Colorado: The Shops At Northfield
- Pocatello, Idaho: Pine Ridge Mall
- Topeka, Kansas: West Ridge Mall
- Newington, New Hampshire: Fox Run Mall
- Asheville, North Carolina: Asheville Mall
- Charleston, West Virginia: Charleston Town Center
There was actually supposed to be an eighth store on this list. The location at Westfield Annapolis Mall in Maryland was originally slated to go dark on May 16th. However, JCPenney managed to squeeze out a lease extension. That store is now safe—at least until August 31st—while they keep haggling with the landlord.
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Why is this happening now?
You’ve probably heard the term "retail apocalypse" until you’re blue in the face. While that’s a bit dramatic, the reality for JCPenney is more about leases and logistics.
Basically, the company says these closures are "isolated" incidents. In many cases, it comes down to a landlord not wanting to budge on rent or a mall that’s simply losing too much foot traffic to justify the electricity bill. When a mall loses its other "anchors"—think Sears or Macy’s—the remaining stores often have clauses in their contracts that allow them to leave or pay less rent. Sometimes, though, the numbers just don't add up anymore.
It’s also worth noting that JCPenney is navigating a weird middle ground right now. They recently merged with Sparc Group (the folks behind Aeropostale and Lucky Brand) to form something called Catalyst Brands. While they’re trying to "synergize" (corporate speak for saving money), they’re also dealing with the fact that their core customer base is feeling the pinch of inflation.
A Surprising Silver Lining?
Believe it or not, JCPenney actually swung to a profit in some quarters of 2025. According to Retail Dive, they managed to pull in $110 million in net income during their second quarter last year. How? Better "markdown management." That’s just a fancy way of saying they stopped overstocking stuff and got better at selling what they actually had.
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But a profit doesn't mean every store is a winner.
The locations closing in May are often in "Class B" or "Class C" malls. These are the shopping centers that aren't the glitzy, high-end destinations with Tesla showrooms. They’re the older malls. The ones with the slightly cracked parking lots. For JCPenney to survive until 2027 and beyond, they’ve decided they can't afford to keep these underperformers on life support.
What it means for you (and your wallet)
If your local store is on the list, you’ve probably already seen the "Store Closing" banners. If you haven't gone in yet, you should.
Liquidation sales typically start weeks before the final May 25th cutoff. We're talking 30%, 50%, and eventually 80-90% off. It's a great time to snag high-ticket items like cookware or jewelry, but don't expect the shelves to be full. Usually, they ship in "liquidator merchandise" to fill the gaps, so keep an eye on the quality.
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Quick tip: If you have JCPenney rewards or gift cards, use them now. While they’ll still be valid at other stores or online, it’s way easier to just burn them at your local spot before the lights go out.
Is JCPenney going away for good?
Not yet. Not by a long shot.
CEO Michelle Wlazlo has been pretty vocal about the fact that they still have over 600 stores. They are focusing heavily on "America’s diverse, working families." They’re leaning into beauty (replacing Sequoia with their own JCPenney Beauty concept) and expanding their home goods.
But the landscape is brutal. With competitors like Shein and Temu eating up the "value" market from below, and players like Kohl's or Target holding the middle ground, JCPenney has to be perfect. They can't afford a single "zombie" store that loses money every month.
What to do next
If you're a regular shopper at one of these seven locations, here's your game plan:
- Check your Reward Points: Log into the JCPenney app. If you’ve got a $10 reward sitting there, use it this weekend.
- The 90-Day Rule: Most liquidation sales make all sales final. If you buy a blazer on May 20th and it doesn't fit, you're likely stuck with it. Check the receipt.
- Update your "Home" Store: If you shop online, go into your profile and change your preferred location to the next nearest store so you don't accidentally select "In-Store Pickup" for a closed location.
- Look for the "Second Chance" Stores: Keep an eye on the Annapolis, Maryland location. If they secure a long-term lease, it might be a sign that the company is actually willing to reinvest in locations that show promise.
It sucks to lose a local staple. But in the world of 2026 retail, "shrinking to grow" is the name of the game. For JCPenney to close seven more stores nationwide by May 25th is just the latest chapter in a very long survival story.