Wednesday, December 24, 2025
36.0°F

J.C. Penney's final day is Sunday

BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 7 months AGO
by BILL BULEY
Bill Buley covers the city of Coeur d'Alene for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He has worked here since January 2020, after spending seven years on Kauai as editor-in-chief of The Garden Island newspaper. He enjoys running. | May 15, 2021 1:00 AM

COEUR d'ALENE — The signs are everywhere.

No, not the ones in bold yellow lettering that shout, "ALL SALES FINAL," "NOTHING HELD BACK" AND "STORE WIDE SALE."

It was the empty spaces, the few shelves displaying the last items for sale, and the rack holding a single pair of pants that spelled out the significance of it all.

J.C. Penney, the once proud and mighty retailer of the Silver Lake Mall, will close its doors for good on Sunday. Sales that were 80% off on Friday will by then likely be 90% off.

Shoppers came and went, perusing the last of shirts, sweaters, and shoes, looking over the bed sheets, inspecting the remaining inventory of kids clothing.

A friendly clerk, upbeat to the end, helped customers search for the right sizes. Shoppers continued looking for deals.

Two more days and then, it's done.

The store was on a list of those slated for closure released in December, but a specific date was not given then. In March, the company released the date of May 16.

It has long been one of the mall’s anchor stores, along with Macy’s. The number of employees the closure will affect was not available.

“Following a comprehensive review of our retail footprint during the restructuring process, JCPenney made the difficult decision to announce more than 170 store closures in 2020,” the company posted on its website.

J.C. Penney already closed stores in Bonner County and Lewiston. It will still have Idaho stores in Boise, Nampa, Twin Falls, Idaho Falls and Pocatello.

J.C. Penney filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last year. It announced plans to close about 240 of its 846 stores.

If you want to take a stroll down memory lane, the store's final hours are noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

ARTICLES BY BILL BULEY

Nonprofit foundation helps family become homeowners for first time
December 24, 2025 1:07 a.m.

Nonprofit foundation helps family become homeowners for first time

Nonprofit foundation helps family become homeowners for first time

The Young Family’s Foundation launched about a year ago with a mission "to empower young, hardworking families to achieve the dream of home ownership. Even if a family saved $25,000, they would still be $19,000 short of the down payment needed to buy a $550,000 home, which is the median price in Kootenai County. It’s estimated that only about 20% of area households can afford to buy a home.

Day of Remembrance highlights being homeless in North Idaho, people encouraged to help
December 23, 2025 1:08 a.m.

Day of Remembrance highlights being homeless in North Idaho, people encouraged to help

Day of Remembrance highlights being homeless in North Idaho, people encouraged to help

According to the 2025 Point in Time Homeless Count in January, Idaho has 2,697 homeless people, down slightly from the previous year. Most, 56%, were adults males between the ages of 18 and 54. In Idaho's Region One, which includes Kootenai, Bonner, Boundary, Shoshone and Benewah counties, there were 246 homeless in the PIT 2025 count.

Mayor Woody McEvers lauded for service to Coeur d'Alene
December 21, 2025 1:08 a.m.

Mayor Woody McEvers lauded for service to Coeur d'Alene

Mayor Woody McEvers lauded for service to Coeur d'Alene

Woody McEvers praised for selfless service