JCPenney Store Closures 2026: JCPenney is shutting more stores in 2026, and that is another sign of how much malls have changed. The company used to be one of the most common big stores inside American shopping centers. For many shoppers, a mall almost felt incomplete without it. But that old mall life has been shrinking for years, and the latest closings show that the pressure is still there. Fast Company says at least six JCPenney locations have closed or are expected to close this year, based on local reports, online listings, and the company’s own store locator.
The store chain has a much smaller reach now than it did before. JCPenney’s store locator currently shows 641 stores in the U.S., while Reuters reported that the company had nearly 850 stores when it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020. JCPenney and SPARC later formed Catalyst Brands in January 2025.
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Which Stores are already Closed
- Pleasanton, California: 1500 Stoneridge Mall Road, Pleasanton, CA 94588 (Already closed)
- Sanford, Florida: Seminole Towne Center, 10 Towne Center Circle, Sanford, FL 32771 (Already closed)
- Chicago, Illinois: Ford City Mall, 7601 S Cicero Ave., Chicago, IL 60652 (Already closed)
- Goodlettsville, Tennessee: Rivergate Mall, 1000 Rivergate Pkwy. Ste 3, Goodlettsville, TN 37072 (Already closed)
- Springfield, Virginia: Springfield Town Center, 6699 Springfield Mall, Springfield, VA 22150 (Already closed)
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: 1006 Ross Park Mall Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 (Expected to close in September)
The Chicago closing stood out the most because it was JCPenney’s last store in the city. The Ford City Mall property also closed earlier than expected because of safety concerns at the mall itself.
The Last Expected Closure
One more store is still expected to close. That is the JCPenney at 1006 Ross Park Mall Drive in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with a September shutdown planned. The store has been at Ross Park Mall since the mall opened in 1986, so its exit will feel like the end of a long chapter for that center.
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A JCPenney spokesperson told WTAE, “Regretfully, we are unable to continue our current lease terms for this store location and have been unable to find another suitable location in the market,”.
Why is the Chain Shrinking?
JCPenney’s shrinkage is not just about fewer mall visits. Malls today often try to stay alive by adding food, entertainment, fitness, and social spaces. People may still come inside the mall, but they do not always shop the way they used to.
JCPenney has tried to steady itself with store improvements, customer service changes, app updates, and better checkout systems. Even so, weak sales, lease trouble, and redevelopment plans can still push old anchor stores out the door.
