JCPenney Closing 154 Stores, Including 8 In California

CALIFORNIA — Weeks after filing for bankruptcy, JCPenney has announced it will close 154 locations nationwide, including eight stores in California. The news came Thursday as the company said the closings are part of its "store optimization strategy."

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."

Here is a list of JCPenney's California locations slated for closure:

• Chino-Rancho Del Chino Shopping Center (14659 Ramona Ave., Chino)
• Delano-JCPenney (1228 Main St., Delano)
• Los Banos-San Luis Plaza (951 W. Pacheco Blvd., Los Banos)
• Paso Robles-Woodland Plaza (120 Niblick Rd., Paso Robles)
• San Bernardino-Inland Center (300 Inland Center Dr., San Bernardino)
• Tracy-West Valley Mall (3100 Naglee Rd., Tracy)
• Turlock-Countryside Plaza (1840 Countryside Dr., Turlock)
• Yreka-Yreka Junction Mall (1810 Fort Jones Rd., Yreka)

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.

JCPenney said it "intends to reduce its store footprint and focus resources on its strongest stores and powerful eCommerce flagship store, jcp.com."

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."

As of this week, JCPenney has reopened nearly 500 stores that had closed during coronavirus stay-at-home orders across the country.

Patch editor Shannon Antinori contributed to this report.