JCPenney at EP Center closes permanently

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include JCPenney’s Aug. 20 confirmation that its Eden Prairie store will not reopen.

JCPenney at Eden Prairie’s mall is no more. Nancy Litwin, vice president and general manager at Eden Prairie Center, confirmed that the retailer will not reopen its Eden Prairie location, which closed after a transformer fire that occurred on April 17.

Although previous statements indicated that JCPenney planned to reopen the location and the signs posted on the building over the weekend still called it “temporarily closed” and asked for patience while restoring store operations, Litwin stated on Monday that, “JCPenney has been a part of our center for many years but decided to permanently close this store following their recent temporary closure on April 17, 2024.”

A sign near the JCPenney west exterior entrance, blocked with caution tape, references the corporation’s founding in 1902 by James Cash Penney. Photo by Joanna Werch Takes

JCPenney confirmed on Aug. 20 that its Eden Prairie Center store will not reopen.

“We encountered a significant event, which caused damage to the store, requiring us to close the Eden Prairie location, and we are unable to continue operating in this store location,” the company said, expressing gratitude to its employees and customers there.

Customers are encouraged to visit JCPenney’s nearby locations at Minnetonka’s Ridgedale Center or Burnsville Center, shop online, or find another store on the company’s website.

The City of Eden Prairie has recently commissioned a study of vehicle traffic around Eden Prairie Center, one step toward a possible redevelopment of a portion of the mall, which could include replacing the portion that housed the JCPenney department store.

Litwin stated on Monday, in relation to the JCPenney closure, “We view this as an opportunity to enhance Eden Prairie Center’s offerings and better meet our customers’ needs.”