JCPenney closing 154 stores as part of its bankruptcy, including one in the KC metro

As part of its bankruptcy reorganization, JCPenney is permanently shuttering 154 stores across 20 states, including one in Independence’s Bolger Square.

The 118-year-old retailer said it will start closing sales at those stores — the first phase of closings — as it focuses its resources on its strongest locations and eCommerce.

The Independence location is expected to reopen June 12 for the closing sale. Store closings are expected to take 10 to 16 weeks to complete.

In a statement, CEO Jill Soltau said: “While closing stores is always an extremely difficult decision, our store optimization strategy is vital to ensuring we emerge from both Chapter 11 and the COVID-19 pandemic as a stronger retailer with greater financial flexibility to allow us to continue serving our loyal customers for decades to come.”

The retailer filed for Chapter 11 on May 15. As of Thursday, the company said it had reopened nearly 500 stores as coronavirus restrictions have begun to ease.

According to The Kansas City Star’s archives, the Independence location opened in August 2005 at 17610 E. 39th St. The off-mall store was designed to be more convenient to customers. It was in a more residential area than most traditional department stores and offered longer hours, wider aisles, shopping carts, and central checkouts — all on one level.

The 122,472-square-foot store had about 200 employees. The company said it is not releasing the number of current store employees at this time.

This story was originally published June 5, 2020 at 2:56 PM.