Tampa Payless Store On Closing List

TAMPA, FL — Shoppers accustomed to visiting the Payless Shoesource at 8201 N. Dale Mabry Highway will have to visit nearby locations to get their fix of discount footwear from now on. The Carrollwood area store was one of about 400 slated for “immediate closing” in an announcement made by the company Tuesday.

Topeka, Kansas-based Payless announced its decision to reorganize under Chapter 11 bankruptcy rules on Tuesday. The closing of 400 stores across the United States and Puerto Rico is part of its restructuring plan.

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While the Dale Mabry location was put on the chopping block, the company intends to keep two nearby locations open. In Tuesday’s announcement, it recommended consumers check out the following alternative Tampa locations:

• 7021 W. Waters Ave.
• 4004 N. Armenia Ave.

No other stores in the Tampa Bay area are scheduled for closing. Several stores in Miami and Orlando, however, were also included in the crop of 400.

The Payless filing for Chapter 11 protection involves less than $1 billion in assets and about $10 billion in liabilities, according to AOL.

All 400 stores in the first round of closings are considered underperforming locations, according to a media release issued by Payless.

“This is a difficult, but necessary, decision driven by the continued challenges of the retail environment, which will only intensify,” CEO Paul Jones said in announcing the bankruptcy protection filing. “We will build a stronger Payless for our customers, vendors and suppliers, associates, business partners and other stakeholders through this process.”

Payless has an estimated 4,400 stores in 30 countries. For more information about the chain’s announcement, visit Payless online.

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