The Slow Goodbye: Another Retailer Closes More Stores—Is Illinois Next?

A major retailer is closing more stores in 2025—could Illinois be next? Discover what this means for Rockford’s mall and the future of brick-and-mortar shopping.

The End of an Era for Mall Shopping

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There was a time when a trip to the mall was an event. You’d walk past the scent of freshly baked pretzels, hear the echo of pop music from a nearby electronics store, and inevitably make a stop at a department store—whether for a new winter coat, a last-minute gift, or simply because my Mom had a coupon that was “too good to waste.”

It's wild to think of how much all of that has changed. Shopping malls, once bustling hubs of commerce and social life, have been declining for years. And now, one of their flagship retailers is once again shrinking its footprint.

Another Major Retailer to Close More Stores in 2025

After struggling to regain its footing following financial hardships, a once-iconic retailer has announced another wave of store closures. The company has already closed nearly 200 locations in recent years, and now, eight more stores are set to close in 2025.

Among them are locations in California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, North Carolina, New Hampshire, and West Virginia, according to thestreet.com.

Illinois, for now, has been spared. But for how long?

What Does This Mean for Rockford’s Mall?

Illinois still has multiple locations of this retailer, including one at CherryVale Mall in Rockford. But as more stores fall, it’s hard not to wonder: will CherryVale’s location eventually meet the same fate? With so many mall-based retailers struggling, the future of brick-and-mortar shopping looks more uncertain than ever.

For those of us who grew up with this store as a retail mainstay, this feels like yet another loss in an era where shopping has moved from storefronts to screens. The question is, will Illinois locations hold out, or are they just waiting for their turn on the closure list?

For now, we watch. And we remember.

The Retailer Revealed: JC Penney

Yes, it’s JC Penney. The once-mighty department store that stood tall in malls across America is continuing its slow retreat. With its history of Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020 and dwindling store numbers, JC Penney’s future remains uncertain. Will Rockford’s store survive, or is it only a matter of time?