Closing dates are approaching for seven JCPenney stores that were put on the chopping block earlier this year, while an eighth location that was set to close will now stay open through at least August. Asheville’s only JCPenney location at the Asheville Mall is set to close this spring.
The latest JCPenney closures, which were initially announced in February , come after more than 200 U.S. locations shuttered when the retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2020. The chain was later acquired by Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management Inc. in December 2020.
In January, JCPenney announced it had partnered with Forever 21 to create a new company called Catalyst Brands. The merger also includes Brooks Brothers, Aéropostale, Lucky Brand, Nautica and Eddie Bauer. Catalyst Brands was expected to open 1,800 store locations and hire 60,000 employees. A JCPenney spokesperson previously told USA TODAY that the store closures are not related to the Catalyst Brand merger…