JCPenney will permanently close down its department store at the Mall at Fox Run by May 25, the retail giant revealed Thursday.

The impending closure comes after the JCPenney space at the 50 Fox Run Road mall was recently sold to Torrington Properties, which now owns the entire mall.

Torrington purchased the 84,000-plus-square-foot JCPenney department store building for $8 million shortly before Christmas.

“The decision to close a store is never an easy one,” a statement from JCPenney Thursday reads. “We are grateful to our dedicated associates and the loyal customers who have shopped at our Newington location. We continue to work to make every dollar count for families across America and welcome them to shop at our other JCPenney stores in the area and (online).”

The JCPenney commercial suite was last assessed by the town at nearly $9.8 million, according to town property records. The building was built in 1985.

Founded in 1902, JCPenney operates more than 650 stores spread throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, the retailer reports.

Torrington working on plans for Newington properties

Torrington, a New England-based real estate investment, development and management company, has bought $66.1 million worth of Newington shopping center properties dating back to June 2021.

The firm also owns the Newington Park Shopping Center, a shopping plaza adjacent to the Mall at Fox Run.

Torrington’s founder and chief executive officer Jay Bisognano told Newington’s Board of Selectmen in January that housing is not part of the company’s plan for future redevelopment. Torrington is weighing many commercial possibilities for their 82-acre portfolio but no plans have been filed yet.

Newington Board of Selectmen chairperson Brandon Arsenault previously said Torrington is tentatively set to return to the board in April to discuss potential redevelopment ideas.

(Editor’s note: The Union Leader reported on February 10 that the JCPenney located in the Mall of New Hampshire in Manchester, NH, will also be closing its doors.)

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