Sears or JCP who will die first?

[jeffkchuckk]

I heard the exact same thing. Told it was a done deal right after Christmas. Not so much.

JC Penny in Penn Square on the list to close.

[Bunty]

JC Penny in Penn Square on the list to close.

JCP doesn't do a very good job of competing with Dillard's there. I bet Dillard's will be happy. One less big distraction from them in the mall.

[bchris02]

It appears that Penn Square will probably happen. Maybe Nordstrom can fill the void in OKC.


http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/ne...likely-to.html

That would be the perfect location for a Nordstrom or at least a flagship Belk. I think in OKC a flagship Belk would be more likely. Either way, it will be a step up from JC Penney, which isn't what it used to be.

Regardless, it should be an easy location to fill. Penn Square is a very successful mall and that specific location is very high visibility.

[SoonerDave]

JCP doesn't do a very good job of competing with Dillard's there. I bet Dillard's will be happy. One less big distraction from them in the mall.

Man, I never thought of Dillards and JCP as competitors. Dillard's seemed to aim for a different market, higher end/higher $$$ than JCP has ever targeted. No slam against JCP, because I have plenty of their brands in my closet - just never thought of "Well, JCP doesn't have XYZ, let's try Dillard's...." at least not at similar price points.

I always wondered if building at the far east end of the PSM property was the best idea. It always seems like an afterthought to go down there. OTOH, I love that two-story arrangement miles better than their absurd one-level acreage in Moore. I hate going to that store if for no other reason than I feel like I'd better hire a Sherpa to guide me and leave a trail of breadcrumbs so my loved ones can find me when I get lost between menswear and appliances....

[Bunty]

That would be the perfect location for a Nordstrom or at least a flagship Belk. I think in OKC a flagship Belk would be more likely. Either way, it will be a step up from JC Penney, which isn't what it used to be.

Regardless, it should be an easy location to fill. Penn Square is a very successful mall and that specific location is very high visibility.

Agree. In Stillwater the Belk store is noticeably better than JCP.

[jerrywall]

JC Penny in Penn Square on the list to close.

I'd be shocked if they close that instead of the QSM location.

[bradh]

I'd love a Belk, but I guess OKC isn't SEC ready

[Soonerman]

I'd be shocked if they close that instead of the QSM location.

I actually like the Quail Penney's better than Penns.

[jerrywall]

I actually like the Quail Penney's better than Penns.

My wife does too. I was more speaking in terms of the malls' health.

[bombermwc]

I would imagine that Penny's being in PSM is to pricey in terms of rent. I'm not 100% if Penny's owns that building though since it was built later. They seem to be doing better with the strip mall approach rather than the traditional mall approach (like every other retailer). Penn has been slowly working their way to getting rid of the lower/mid range retailers anyway and making Penn a more upper-middle range location....not upscale by any means, but definitely higher end than it was in the 90's. That's what they figure is their niche to stay alive to counter the strip malls....focus the higher end stuff in one place.

I'm wondering if Dillard's might consolidate into the Penny's building though. Not sure on the footage comparison but the way Dillard's is spread out in the two stores has always been nuts. They didn't do squat to the space they took over for men's either...still looks as crappy as the former retailer (Wards was it?...can't remember). If they did, it would be an opportunity for Penn to lease out the smaller Men's section to another smaller dept store brand and maybe something larger in the Women's end. The question....what would it be? It wont be Belks...might as well put a Kohls in there if you're going to do that, but i think they all lump in the same "strip mall comfort zone" that Pennys is in now.

[bchris02]

^^^ Some Belk locations in the Southeast are VERY nice. Like Macy's, the quality of the store can vary depending on the location, especially if it was an acquired location that was built as something else and never updated. A Belk like the ones I was used to when I lived in Charlotte would be a huge win for Penn Square Mall.

[jjjumper]

C. None of the Above

Gordman's crosses the finish line first!

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...cy-in-nebraska

[traxx]

C. None of the Above

Gordman's crosses the finish line first!

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...cy-in-nebraska

There will be a lot of strip malls with an empty space now.

[bombermwc]

Kinda stinks for Gordman's. I could usually count on them for some Christmas presents. Although, didn't go the rest of the year....probably part of the problem.

[SoonerDave]

C. None of the Above

Gordman's crosses the finish line first!

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...cy-in-nebraska

Interesting - the story I heard this morning indicated they *weren't* closing (like it was a reorg?). This article clearly states its a liquidation....

[Bill Robertson]

Kinda stinks for Gordman's. I could usually count on them for some Christmas presents. Although, didn't go the rest of the year....probably part of the problem.

My wife went to the Memorial store last Thursday afternoon and bought a purse. She said she was literally the only customer.

[rlewis]

JC Penney just announced the list of store closures and the Penn Square location was not on the list. The 4 stores in OK to close are located in Altus, Claremore, Stillwater, and Ponca City.

[Patrick]

Once again that source was wrong. JC Penney at Penn Square is not closing.

http://www.koco.com/article/these-ar...s-year/9146252

[Patrick]

I'm surprised that the King of Prussia mall location is closing. That's one of the largest malls in the US.

[jonny d]

I wonder how long people here will keep buying into these articles saying a Penn Square anchor will close.

[Bunty]

Penny's in Stillwater couldn't compete with Belk, among other problems.

[Bunty]

Maybe vacant space from closed Penney's locations will interest other department stores to come in, like Dillard's, Kohl's and Bed Bath and Beyond. Hopefully, they're not all hurting.

[SomeGuy]

http://www.bostonherald.com/business...ay_in_business

[SoonerDave]

http://www.bostonherald.com/business...ay_in_business

Yeah, when a business (finally) starts using that kind of language, seems like the handwriting truly is on the wall. Nothing anyone hasn't been expecting for a while now, but when the company starts saying "substantial doubts" about their future...time to start packing...

With the Target at SW 44th and Western shuttered, and Sears looking like its not far behind, it really gives me concern for that area with two large, empty retail spaces in the offing - and presumably not much of a prospect to fill either of them. I remember when that area was just a vibrant retail core, and it's just sad to see it fade away.

[bombermwc]

Sooner Dave - i very much agree. And i dont see how the area is ever going to fill in the space. It's not as though you could tear out the structures and get something new built either....or homes. I can see this becoming a blight very quickly. Very sad.