Why are JCPenney stores closing down in 7 locations? Reasons explained

JCPenney stores are closing down before the end of May 2025 in seven locations. No detailed reason for the closure was given by the company. However, a JCPenney spokesperson shared with USA Today that the reason why seven of their stores are closing could be because of:

"expiring lease agreements, market changes or other factors".

JCPenney closing a few of its stores is not something new. The department store chain first announced the closure a few months ago in February. But even before this, the store had already filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection five years ago in May 2020. After filing for bankruptcy, the store was bought by Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management Inc. in the same year in December.

In the following month, the chain department store merged with Forever21, Aéropostale, Nautica, Lucky Brand, Brooks Brothers, and Edie Bauer to make a new company called Catalyst Brands. This merger was supposed to bring about 1,800 new store locations and 60,000 employees. The spokesperson also added that the closing of the seven stores is not related to the merger.

Which JCPenney stores are closing down in May? Locations disclosed

Here is a list of the stores that will be closed on May 25, 2025. The details were shared by a spokesperson on May 19, 2025.

• 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

A previous announcement stated that the Westfield Annapolis Mall in Annapolis, Maryland, will be closed. However, a new update reveals that the store will remain open till August 31, 2025, due to an extended lease agreement.

Additionally, a Catalyst Brands spokesperson told USA Today that the parent company is "optimizing" its organization, which led to a cut of 9% of its corporate positions.

While an exact reason for the stores' closure was not provided by JCPenney, the chain's spokesperson, as well as a spokesperson from Catalyst Brands, have given the public a hint behind the stores' closing. It could be a mix of end-of-lease agreements, changes in the market, or changes in the parent company itself.

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