Ponca City JCPenney store among those closing

The JC Penney store in Ponca Plaza is among 138 stores the chain is closing in an effort to cut costs, according to a report released by the company today.

The company said a few weeks ago it planned to close about 140 stores this year. In that announcement, JC Penney cited pressures on traditional department stores from competing retail models, including Amazon, and changes in the economics of shopping centers overall.

The company  had said closures would start in the second quarter, with liquidations starting April 17.

The other Oklahoma stores on the closure list include those at the Altus Plaza in Altus; Ne-Mar Shopping Center in Claremore; and Pioneer Square Shopping Center in Stillwater.

The company said it would work to strengthen more successful stores.