DOTHAN, Ala. — JC Penney’s Dothan location is among the stores safe from a nationwide wave of closures, according to recent reports. Despite the department store chain’s struggles in recent years, including filing for bankruptcy protection in 2020, the Wiregrass Commons Mall branch will remain open, offering a sense of stability for the local community.
Nationwide, JC Penney has announced that eight stores in California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, North Carolina, New Hampshire, and West Virginia are set to close by mid-2025. These closures are attributed to expiring lease agreements and ongoing shifts in the retail market. However, staff members at the Dothan location have confirmed that their store will not be affected by these closures, and there are no plans to shut down any Alabama-based JC Penney stores at this time.
In 2020, JC Penney filed for bankruptcy protection and was subsequently acquired by Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management Inc. As part of the restructuring deal, the company agreed to close approximately a third of its 846 stores across the nation. These closures, while part of a broader industry trend, have sparked concern among employees and shoppers at remaining locations.
The Dothan JC Penney, one of three large department stores in the Wiregrass Commons Mall, continues to serve as a key retail destination for the area, providing both jobs and consumer goods to the local population. With other large department stores facing tough competition from online retailers, it remains to be seen how JC Penney’s future will unfold in the coming years, though for now, its Dothan store is secure.
The continued presence of JC Penney in Dothan reflects a glimmer of hope for the city’s retail scene, as local shoppers can continue to rely on the store for their shopping needs without the worry of a potential closure in the near future.
