3 Orlando Payless Stores On Closing List

ORLANDO, FL — Orlando area shoppers with a love for discount shoes will have to look up new Payless locations to get their fix from now on. The chain announced the “immediate closing" of 400 stores across the country on Tuesday, including three in the Orlando area.

The closings were part of the Topeka, Kansas-based chain’s announcement of a decision to pursue reorganization under Chapter 11 bankruptcy rules. The closings include stores across the United States and Puerto Rico.

In announcing each of the three Orlando closing, the chain made recommendations of nearby stores that would remain open under the restructuring. The closings and alternative location recommendations are as follows:

• Silver Hills Shopping Center – Consumers can now visit the 7457 W. Colonial Drive or 2210 S. Kirkman locations
• Lake Fredrica Shopping Center – Shoppers are asked to visit the 5963 S. Golden Road or 304 E. Michigan St. locations instead
• Sand Lake Corners – Consumers are asked to check out the 8001 S. Orange Blossom Trail location instead

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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