JCPenney closings catch shoppers off guard

Macon’s Eddie Armstrong knew his mother and sister would be surprised to find out that the JCPenney store at Macon Mall would be shut down.

The company announced Friday that it plans to shutter the Middle Georgia stores in Dublin, Macon and Milledgeville, three locations of 138 nationwide that will close, starting in June.

Armstrong, 61, was outside the Macon Mall Friday afternoon while family members were finishing some shopping.

“They’re going to be disappointed to find out it’s closing, I guarantee” Armstrong said. “I thought they were doing well. I tell you with this economy... I don’t know.”

Minutes later his mother, Shirley Armstrong, walked out of the JCPenney store she typically shops at once a month. She said she was disappointed to hear that the mall location would be closing.

“I wish they would stay here longer,” the Washington County resident said. “I love it. I need to come here again soon.”

Of the four Middle Georgia JCPenney locations, the one that will remain open is the Houston County Galleria. Driving to that location from Macon was not appealing to Shacoby Lauranville, who said she, along with her mother and aunt, enjoy shopping at the JCPenney that anchors the Macon Mall.

“I don’t want to go to (Houston County),” she said. “That’s an inconvenience to people that shop here”

On Friday afternoon Susie Bryant came to the Macon store to find out if she could get a bracelet fixed. Bryant lives about 20 miles from the Dublin location, but stopped by the Macon store while in town.

“I’m so sorry that Penney’s is closing,” Bryant said. “It’s always been one of my favorite stores. I’ve bought jewelery there, a real baby doll there. I was a big kid again a few years ago.”

This story was originally published March 17, 2017 at 4:39 PM with the headline "JCPenney closings catch shoppers off guard."