By Eric Stock and Sam Wood
BLOOMINGTON – J.C. Penney has announced it’s closing 138 stores nationwide including its location at Eastland Mall in Bloomington.
Company officials say in a news release 5,000 jobs will be cut nationwide. The closings will occur mostly in June. Most affected stores will begin the liquidation process April 17, according to the news release.
“While it is unfortunate when a department store closes, we view it as an opportunity to recapture under-performing space and deliver a fresh new mix that drives increased traffic for the center and increased sales for the retailers,” said Eastland Mall Marketing Director Melissa Cavanagh.
The other Illinois locations which plan to close are in Canton, Effingham, Macomb, Peru, Sterling and Woodridge.
Eastland Mall owner CBL Properties is already looking to find replacements for anchor store Macy’s which announced its plans to close in January. Two other mall occupants, MC Sports and Radio Shack, are also closing their doors.
Cavanagh said CBL is actively engaged in discussions with possible tenants for both Macy’s and J.C. Penney.
“But it’s a little too early to announce any concrete plans. We need to make sure we have leases signed and in place,” Cavanagh said.
WJBC will update this story.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
Sam Wood can be reached at [email protected].
