JC Penney Announces 154 Store Closures Duluth Store Will Remain Open

It's the last big department store at the Miller Hill Mall, and it will remain open...for now.

JC Penney is facing some big financial problems and has for years, but last month they officially declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy and as part of that they are announcing the permanent closure of 154 stores across the country.

Minnesota will see 4 stores closing including, Coon Rapids, Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, and Willmar. The Duluth store thankfully will remain open for the foreseeable future. Wisconsin will see one store close in Menomonee Falls.

“While closing stores is always an extremely difficult decision, our store optimization strategy is vital to ensuring we emerge from both Chapter 11 and the COVID-19 pandemic as a stronger retailer with greater financial flexibility to allow us to continue serving our loyal customers for decades to come,” said CEO Jill Soltau in a statement.

The Miller Hill Mall JJC Penney just reopened again to customers and is open limited hours, Monday - Saturday they are open Noon until 7 PM and Sundays 11 AM - 6 PM.

JC Penney has been in business for 118 years, the first store opened in Kemmerer, Wyoming in 1902 and is still open till this day, incredible.

Here's another interesting JCP fact, Sam Walton got his start working at a JC Penney store before leaving and starting a little store called Walmart in 1962.