Dozens Of NJ Chain Stores Close In 2019

NEW JERSEY — The brick-and-mortar retail landscape continued its decline in New Jersey in 2019, with several national chains announcing dozens of store closings by 2020.

Some, such as Kmart, are adding to a list of stores already slated for closure. Others, such as Bed Bath & Beyond, say they're scaling back retail operations.

A.C. Moore, the popular arts and crafts chain, will close all of its stores, the company announced this fall. Several clothing retailers, including Forever 21 and Dressbarn, are among the stores that are closing or will soon close.

Here's a look some of the national retailers that announced New Jersey store closings by 2020:

Sears

Sears announced another round of store closings; The Sears at Freehold Raceway Mall will close by February. The store was the last of the chain's sites at the Jersey Shore, where the storied company once had locations in Toms River and a number of locations throughout the region. READ MORE.

Kmart

Kmart is also closing a store in West Orange, and it's shutting sites in Wayne, Trenton, Wall and Somers Point. Liquidation sales were being held at those stories. READ MORE

Bed Bath & Beyond

Bed Bath & Beyond, the popular home store with 35 locations in New Jersey, announced that underperforming locations may close or be relocated in the near future. READ MORE.

Lord & Taylor

The Lord & Taylor's at Woodbridge Center Mall was expected to close by Dec. 24 and 84 layoffs were scheduled for that date. The store's Moorestown location also is expected to close by the end of the January, and 81 layoffs are scheduled for Jan. 31. READ MORE.

The Children's Place

The Children's Place at the Bridgewater Towne Center is closing and hosting an inventory sale to get rid of everything inside. READ MORE.

A.C. Moore

A.C. Moore will close all stores, the company announced in November. The chain, owned by Nicole Crafts, said it has decided to "exit its retail operations" by closing all A.C. Moore stores "as part of a broader strategic plan." READ MORE.

JCPenney

JCPenney confirmed that it was closing its store located at the Hamilton Mall in Mays Landing. READ MORE.

Charlotte Russe

Charlotte Russe announced in March it would shutter all of its stores. As a result, more than 400 stores closed. READ MORE.

Destination Maternity

The retail chain Destination Maternity announced plans to close 201 locations as the maternity apparel company continues through its Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection case. READ MORE.

Forever 21

Forever 21 announced this fall it would close 178 stores across the country. The announcement came after the company, a staple of the teen retail scene since 1984, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Forever 21 also identified the locations in New Jersey that are set to close: Deptford, Mays Landing, East Hanover, Cherry Hill, Short Hills and East Brunswick. READ MORE.

Payless ShoeSource

Payless ShoeSource closed all of its U.S. stores as part of a bankruptcy filing. READ MORE.

Dressbarn

All Dressbarn stores will be closing by the end of the year, the company announced. Some locations have already closed. "We have received overwhelming landlord support for our plan, which will allow us to implement our wind-down in a manner that provides the best recovery for our landlords. Further, we are current, and expect to remain so, with our vendors and suppliers," Steven Taylor, Dressbarn CFO, said in a statement over the summer. READ MORE

Walgreens

The national pharmacy chain will be closing 200 stores in 2019, the company said in an August SEC filing. A list of locations to close was not released by the company. READ MORE

Pier 1

The home wares and furnishings chain has plans to close 57 stores by the end of 2019, USA Today reported. A list of locations was not released by the company.

Charming Charlie

Women's fashion accessory retailer Charming Charlie filed for bankruptcy will close its roughly 260 stores across the country, including 11 in New Jersey. READ MORE.