It’s happening again. If you grew up wandering the aisles of a department store every Saturday, this news probably feels like another tiny piece of your childhood getting boxed up and sold at a discount. JCPenney to close seven more stores on May 25 isn't just a headline; for seven communities, it's the end of a retail era.
Honestly, it’s kinda heartbreaking.
While the company has spent the last few years trying to convince us they’re on the up-and-up, these May 25 closures prove that the "retail apocalypse" isn't quite done with its meal. The list of locations being shuttered spans from the West Coast to the hills of West Virginia. If you’re a regular at one of these spots, you've likely already seen the "Store Closing" signs and the picked-over racks.
Which Locations Are Saying Goodbye?
Let's get straight to the point. You probably want to know if your local spot is on the chopping block. On Sunday, May 25, the following seven JCPenney locations will permanently lock their doors:
- 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
It’s worth noting that this list was originally supposed to be eight. The store at the Westfield Annapolis Mall in Maryland was initially scheduled to go, but they managed to snag a lease extension. It’s a temporary reprieve, though—that one is currently slated to close later in August.
Why these specific spots? JCPenney officials usually point to things like "expiring lease agreements" or "market changes." Basically, if a store isn't pulling its weight or the mall owner wants more rent than the store is worth, the lights go out.
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The Reality of JCPenney’s Post-Bankruptcy Life
To understand why JCPenney to close seven more stores on May 25 is such a big deal, you have to look back at the mess that was 2020. JCPenney filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy right when the pandemic was hitting its stride. They eventually emerged under the ownership of Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management.
Those names might sound familiar. They’re mall owners.
They bought JCPenney essentially to keep their own malls from collapsing. If a massive anchor store like JCPenney goes dark, it often triggers "co-tenancy" clauses. That’s fancy legal talk that lets smaller stores in the mall pay less rent or even break their leases because the big draw is gone.
Since then, the company has shuttered more than 200 locations. They currently operate about 650 stores, which is a far cry from the 1,000+ they had back in the day. Despite the fresh ownership and a merger into something called Catalyst Brands (alongside names like Forever 21 and Aeropostale), the financial bleeding hasn't totally stopped. In early 2026, reports showed the company’s quarterly losses were still widening.
Why Do These Closures Keep Happening?
It’s easy to blame Amazon. It’s even easier to blame the pandemic. But the truth is more complicated and, frankly, a bit more boring.
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First, there’s the "C" and "D" mall problem. A lot of these JCPenney stores are located in malls that haven't been updated since 1994. If the mall is dying, the anchor store is going down with the ship. At the Shops at Northfield in Denver, for example, they’ve already lost a Macy’s. When the neighbors leave, you start looking at the exit, too.
Then there’s the pricing struggle. Most people go to JCPenney for the coupons and the "Big Brand" sales. When they tried to get rid of those years ago under CEO Ron Johnson—remember the "Fair and Square" disaster?—they lost a huge chunk of their loyal customer base. They’ve been trying to win them back ever since, but it's hard to convince someone to come back once they’ve started shopping at Target or TJ Maxx.
What This Means for You (and Your Wallet)
If you live near one of the closing stores, there is a silver lining: liquidation sales.
Liquidators like SB360 Capital Partners usually handle these events. You’ll see discounts start at 20% or 30%, but by mid-May, they’ll be practically giving stuff away. If you need a new suit or some Liz Claiborne towels, that’s the time to strike.
But beyond the deals, there's the human cost. About 70 to 100 employees work at a typical JCPenney. When JCPenney to close seven more stores on May 25, hundreds of people lose their jobs. The company usually says they try to transfer employees to other locations, but if the next nearest store is 50 miles away, that’s not really an option for most.
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Is This the End for JCPenney?
Probably not. Not yet, anyway.
The CEO, Michelle Wlazlo, has been vocal about "making every dollar count" for working families. They are leaning hard into private labels and beauty partnerships to keep people coming through the doors. They even have a $1 billion plan to renovate the stores that are actually making money.
But the reality is that the department store model is under siege. We don't shop the way our parents did. We don't want to hike through a 100,000-square-foot building to find one pair of socks.
The closures on May 25 are "isolated," according to the company. They swear there are no plans for a "significant" reduction in store count. But if you’ve been following retail for any length of time, you know that "handful of closures" is often the polite way of saying "the beginning of the end."
Actionable Steps for JCPenney Shoppers
If you’re a fan of the brand or just someone who likes a good deal, here is how you should handle the news of these closures:
- Check Your Gift Cards: If you have a JCPenney gift card and your local store is closing, use it now. While the company isn't going out of business entirely, it’s much easier to spend that credit in person than dealing with shipping returns on the website.
- Watch the Calendar: Liquidation sales typically ramp up about 6-8 weeks before the final date. For the May 25 closures, the "sweet spot" for deep discounts on items you actually want (not just the leftover junk) will be late April.
- Update Your Rewards Profile: If your "home" store is closing, the app might get wonky. Make sure your preferred store is updated to the next nearest location so you keep getting those Reward Points and coupons.
- Support the Staff: Honestly, the people working these final weeks are going through it. Be kind. They didn't make the decision to close the store, but they're the ones having to deal with the messy racks and the "Is this 90% off yet?" questions.
The retail landscape is shifting beneath our feet. While JCPenney tries to find its footing in a world dominated by e-commerce and discount giants, these seven communities will have to figure out what to do with a giant, empty building in the middle of their favorite mall.