JC Penney In Detroit Lakes To Close This Spring

Detroit Lakes, MN (KDLM) – A spokesperson with JC Penney has confirmed to KDLM that the downtown Detroit Lakes business will close its doors for good in May 2023.

The retailer announced that liquidation sales will begin at the location on February 1st with the store’s final day in business being May 21st. The Detroit Lakes store will begin implementing a no-return policy beginning February 1.

“We are grateful to our dedicated associates and the loyal customers who have shopped at our Detroit Lakes location,” the spokesperson said.

Jim Buus owns the JCP building and addressed concerns on Facebook on Sunday afternoon.

“We knew for several years JCP would not be a long-term tenant, especially after they filed for bankruptcy,” wrote Buus. “We have signed a new lease with a new retail tenant to replace JCP and plan for hundreds of thousands in renovations. While we are saddened by JCP’s closure. It had nothing to do with us as landlords and we remain committed to the evolution, redevelopment, and progress of our community.”

JC Penney, like many other big-box retailers, has faced ongoing issues in recent years, even filing for bankruptcy and closing 200 stores, including four in Minnesota, during the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020.

The Detroit Lakes location, which has been in its current location since 1963, is one of three confirmed closures across the US this May, with the other locations in Elkhart, IN, and Oswego, NY.