JCPenney is closing at least six store locations across six different states in 2026, according to a review of local media reports and JCPenney’s store locator, as the department store chain continues to shrink its national footprint amid broader challenges facing America’s shopping malls.
The closures include a high-profile location at Chicago’s Ford City Mall, which was JCPenney’s last store in the city. Ford City Mall itself shut down on June 22, 2026, after a Cook County judge ordered the closure due to serious safety concerns, including defects in the fire suppression system, according to the Chicago Tribune. JCPenney closed its Ford City location on June 21, one day before the mall’s final closure.
The mall closures and anchor store departures reflect a broader retail contraction. According to Coresight Research data, 8,270 U.S. stores closed in 2025, compared to 5,270 store openings, a net loss that has accelerated pressure on shopping malls nationwide. Projections suggest that up to 87% of large shopping malls may close over the next decade, according to Capital One Shopping research from June 2026.
Department store anchors like JCPenney were once essential to mall foot traffic and tenant stability. As reported by Fast Company, JCPenney has been reducing its national footprint for years. The chain now operates with a much smaller footprint than it once had, and these 2026 closures underscore how the decline of anchor tenants can push entire malls toward closure. When anchor stores leave, smaller retailers lose the traffic they depend on, creating a downward spiral for the entire property.
Sources
- Fast Company — Reported at least six JCPenney locations closing in 2026 across six states; context on mall decline and anchor store role (June 29, 2026)
- Chicago Tribune — Confirmed Ford City Mall closure and JCPenney’s status as last anchor tenant in Chicago (June 20, 2026)
- Chicago Sun-Times — Reported JCPenney Ford City closure date and reason (May 18, 2026)
- Capital One Shopping — Provided mall closure projection data: up to 87% of large malls may close over 10 years (June 5, 2026)
- Coresight Research — Provided 2025 store closure/opening data: 8,270 closures vs. 5,270 openings
