Another retailer pulls out of Sault Ste. Marie

March 18, 2017

SAULT STE. MARIE — On Feb. 24, J. C. Penney Company, Inc. announced it was implementing a plan to optimize its national retail operations as part of the company’s successful return to profitability.  Since that time employees have wondered if their store was on the chopping block.

 

On Friday, March 17, the company announced the list of store closures. The list focused on 138 stores, named seven Michigan stores, including the Sault Ste. Marie store in Cascade Crossings.

 

Approximately 5,000 positions nationwide will be impacted by the store closures, most of which will occur in June. J.C. Penney is in the process of identifying relocation opportunities within the Company for esteemed leaders. Additionally, J.C. Penney will provide outplacement support services for those eligible associates who will be leaving the company. Most affected stores will begin the liquidation process on April 17.

 

“We believe closing stores will... allow us to adjust our business to effectively compete against the growing threat of online retailers," J.C. Penney CEO Marvin Ellison said in a statement.

 

The closure of the Sault Ste. Marie store marks another major retailer leaving the area. Last year, Family Fare Supermarket and Kmart both shuddered their doors. Those buildings remain empty at this time. Meijer is planned to open in the next few months at the former location of Varsity Cinemas, but no date of opening has been established.

 

The Michigan locations being closed are:

• Lakeview Square Mall, Battle Creek, MI

• Delta Plaza, Escanaba, MI

• Westshore Mall, Holland, MI

• Copper Country Mall, Houghton, MI

• Birchwood Mall, Kingsford, MI

• Midland Mall, Midland, MI

• Cascade Crossings, Sault Ste. Marie, MI

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