The J.C. Penney Co. Inc. store at Shawano Plaza will shut down in April, affecting about 25 employees.
A spokesperson for the retail chain confirmed Thursday that the store would close on or about April 4.
“We continually evaluate our store portfolio to determine whether there’s a need to close or relocate underperforming stores,” said Sarah Holland, media relations manager for JCPenney Communications, in an email.
“While it’s never an easy decision to close stores, especially due to the impact on our valued associates and customers, we feel this is a necessary business decision,” Holland said.
Holland said eligible associates who do not remain with the company will receive separation benefits. She said the company would assist employees in finding other job opportunities at nearby JCPenney stores, if possible.
“Additionally, we’re offering all associates an on-site career training class,” Holland said. “The class will assist associates in writing resumes, filling out applications, answering interview questions and more.”
Dennis Heling, chief economic development officer of Shawano County Economic Progress Inc., said the Department of Workforce Development would organize a “rapid response team” to assist employees, as it did with the Kmart situation.
The team would include representatives from the Shawano County Job Center, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and job counselors to provide help in enhancing resumes and finding other job alternatives, as well as providing information on health care options, Heling said.
The J.C. Penney Co. also said Thursday that about 40 of its 1,060 stores nationwide would be closed this year, affecting about 2,250 employees. Most are slated to close on April 4.
Shawano Mayor Lorna Marquardt said she was saddened to hear that the Shawano store was among them.
“Obviously that is devastating to the employees and their families as well to the community as a whole,” she said. “We never want to hear of businesses closing. We will do everything we can to support those who have lost their job.
“We will continue to try to bring new businesses into our community and retain and support those who are already here.”
The JCPenney store at 128 Woodlawn Drive opened in 1990.
Kmart, which was located in the same plaza, closed in July. That closure affected 55 employees.
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