The department store chain said the decision followed a lease breakdown and efforts to find another suitable location in the market were unsuccessful. The Fort Worth store had become the last remaining anchor retailer at Ridgmar Mall after Macy’s closed in 2016.
The closure leaves Dillard’s as the largest remaining store at the mall once JCPenney shuts down. Sears and Neiman Marcus both ended their operations at Ridgmar in 2017, changing the retail landscape of the shopping center.
JCPenney Begins Final Sales Before Fort Worth Closure
JCPenney has already started its closing sale at the Ridgmar Mall location, with merchandise marked between 20% and 50% off.
All purchases made after July 16 are final, meaning customers cannot return or exchange items bought during the closing period. As reportde by The SUN, the company said:
“Regretfully, we are unable to continue our current lease terms for this store location and have been unable to find another suitable location in the market.”
JCPenney also thanked employees and customers who supported the Fort Worth store over the years, saying:
“We are grateful to our dedicated associates and the loyal customers who have shopped at our Fort Worth location through the years.”
The retailer added that it hopes to continue serving those customers through other Dallas-Fort Worth locations and its online platform.
A Long-Running Store Affected by Changes in Retail
The Ridgmar Mall location had operated since 1976, making it a long-standing part of the Fort Worth retail community. Its closure reflects broader challenges facing department stores as shopping habits and inflation have affected the retail industry.
The coronavirus pandemic created additional pressure for JCPenney. In 2020, most of the company’s stores entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, which later resulted in 175 store closures nationwide between 2020 and 2021.
According to a filing, JCPenney reported that net sales declined by more than 4% in the fiscal quarter that ended on May 2, 2025.
JCPenney Continues Reducing Its Store Footprint
JCPenney currently operates around 640 stores across the United States, a significant reduction from the more than 1,000 locations it operated in 2016.
The retailer has continued to close locations while maintaining its presence through physical stores and online shopping. According to the company, customers affected by the Fort Worth closure can still shop at other Dallas-Fort Worth locations or through JCPenney’s website.
Despite the reduction in its store network, the brand continues to have recognition among shoppers. USA Today’s 10 Best named JCPenney the number one best department store in 2026.
