JCPenny To Close 154 Stores, 4 In Alabama

HOOVER, AL — After filing for bankruptcy in May, JCPenney has announced it will close 154 locations nationwide, including four stores in Alabama. The news came Thursday as the company said the closings are part of its "store optimization strategy."

The store in the Riverchase Galleria, however, will remain open.

With a June 11 hearing in its bankruptcy case, JCPenney said, "Following a comprehensive evaluation of its retail footprint and a careful analysis of store performance and future strategic fit for the Company, JCPenney identified the first phase of 154 store closures."

JCPenney announced its bankruptcy in mid-May, around the same time another retailer, Pier 1 Imports, announced it would close all locations. Both companies cited the coronavirus pandemic among reasons for the closings.

The closings will happen over the next 10 to 16 weeks, the company said

"I am incredibly grateful to our talented associates for their ongoing dedication and their passion for meeting and exceeding our customers' expectations during this difficult and uncertain time," said Jill Soltau, chief executive officer of JCPenney. "All impacted associates will be treated with the utmost consideration and respect."

The stores in Alabama closing include:

• Covington Mall in Andalusia
• Regency Square in Florence
• Jackson Square in Scottsboro
• Spanish Fort Town Center in Spanish Fort