LEILA FUJIMORI / LFUJIMORI@STARBULLETIN.COM
On Jan. 10, J.C. Penney's will close most of its Hawaii stores, leaving only its Maui outlet open. Here, shoppers headed into J.C. Penney's at Ala Moana Center yesterday.
J.C. Penney’s closure Jeannine Izumi made a special trip to J.C. Penney's Ala Moana store yesterday after learning of its impending shutdown.
saddens both sides
of checkout aisle
By Leila Fujimori
lfujimori@starbulletin.com"It's like something going out of your life," said Izumi, a Hawaii Kai resident. "I was a lifetime shopper."
Clutching a red umbrella she purchased, Izumi sat outside the store where she has shopped for 32 years, with tears in her eyes, as if mourning the loss of an old friend.
"I will miss J.C. Penney," Izumi said. "It has been my store all along. I used to buy my kids' things here."
Shoppers were shocked and saddened yesterday by the news that after 36 years in the islands, J.C. Penney Co. will be shutting most of its Hawaii stores on Jan. 10. They include locations at Ala Moana Center, Pearlridge and Hilo, leaving only its Maui store.
The company's managers informed its employees yesterday of the closures, which will mean 458 layoffs.
At the company's Texas headquarters, J.C. Penney spokesman Tim Lyons said that "the stores have not been profitable."
For longtime employees, news of the impending shutdown hit especially hard.
"It's sad because we're at an older age and have to learn a new trade most likely," said a 30-year J.C. Penney employee who asked not to be named. "It is harder to find a job now because the economy is not stable," said the 52-year-old salesclerk at the Pearlridge store.
However, she said she will leave with many good memories. "I made a lot of friends and learned quite a few things from here, but after 30 years it's hard to leave," she said, her voice choking with emotion.
LEILA FUJIMORI / LFUJIMORI@STARBULLETIN.COM
Above left, shopper Jeannine Izumi made a special trip to J.C. Penney at Ala Moana Center yesterday when she heard the news of its impending closure. At right, optometrist Tiffany Hollenbeck learned about the closure on her way to work at the J.C. Penney Optical Co. at Ala Moana Center.
Tiffany Hollenbeck, on her way in to work as an optometrist at the J.C. Penney Optical Co. at Ala Moana Center, said: "I feel really bad. It's not good for Hawaii."
Hollenbeck learned the news yesterday morning before starting work. She said employees are curious as to what will replace the Ala Moana store.
Shoppers also felt sentimental about losing J.C. Penney.
"It seems like all the stores I grew up with are gone, and new stores have come in," said Elizabeth Nishimura, 61, who purchased some clothes at the Ala Moana store.
After the departure of Liberty House, Nishimura had been shopping more at J.C. Penney. "I enjoy shopping at Penney's," she said.
Tammy Imada, 31, said J.C. Penney was the store she went to for good deals.
"How awful," Imada said of the news. "They're dependable. You pretty much find what you're looking for. I better buy all my clothes now."
Waikiki resident Tim Moline, who has shopped at J.C. Penney for 30 years, added, "Penney's is a moderately priced store, and most of us are modest shoppers."
Moline said Ala Moana Center is "whittling down" the stores he can afford. "The swap meet is looking better and better."
Jon Yap, a former Hawaii resident visiting from San Jose, Calif., lamented the loss of many of the familiar stores of his youth.
"I've been stunned as to how much change has been going on," said Yap, 45. "It's heartbreaking they're shutting down, because they've been here forever."
JC Penney
