ROCK SPRINGS — JCPenney’s corporate office and a local store manager have confirmed rumors that the store will close in early April.
Manager Nicole Knight said the last day for the store will be April 8, 2016.
“From what we understand, it’s because our JCPenneys actually doesn’t make as much money as the other JCPenneys,” said Knight. “And our JCPenneys has been down in sales over the last couple of years.”
Knight said local employees will likely learn more details next week, but they do not have much information about the closure at this time.
Knight said she does not know what business, if any, will be taking their location in the White Mountain Mall.
The Rock Springs Closure is one of seven store closures nationwide, according to Carter English, who works at JCPenney Corporate Communications. English said this is a significant decrease from the number of stores closed in previous years and is less than one percent of the company’s total stores.
“We continually evaluate our store portfolio to determine whether there’s a need to close locations that do not meet all required financial targets,” English said in an email. “It’s never easy taking actions that directly impact our valued associates and customers, however, we feel this is a necessary business decision.”
English said the Rock Springs store employs approximately 25 people. English said eligible associates who don’t stay with the company will receive separation benefits and the company will help in identifying other opportunities at nearby JCPenny stores when possible. In addition, associates are being offered an on-site training class to assist them in writing resumes, filling out applications, answering interview questions and more.
Store locations to close are:
- Cupertino, CA
- Owings Mills, MD
- DeWitt, NY
- Cranberry, PA
- Morristown, TN
- Price, UT
- Rock Springs, WY
A spokesperson for the mall was not immediately available to discuss the store’s closure.