JCPenney is closing yet another location, this time in Orange County, California.

JCPenney will close its location in the Westminster Mall on or about Nov. 21, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Notice filed on Aug. 18, obtained by USA TODAY. The store will remain open to the public through Nov. 16.

Seventy-six employees work at the location and will be affected by the closure, the WARN Notice states. These employees may be offered employment at other JCPenney locations, dependent on business needs and associate interests.

"Closing the store was a difficult decision. We thank you for the time and effort you have dedicated to JCPenney," reads a letter to associates at the location, obtained by USA TODAY.

JCPenney was unable to continue its lease at the mall and has been unable to find another location in the area, according to a JCPenney statement obtained by USA TODAY.

This particular JCPenney store opened in August 1974, coinciding with the grand opening of the Westminster Mall. JCPenney is one of the mall's anchor stores, along with Macy's and Target. The former of which is also closing this year, USA TODAY previously reported.

7 JCPenney stores, Texas warehouse also closing this year

In addition to the Orange County store, the company closed seven other locations throughout the country in May. JCPenney previously told USA TODAY these closures were because of "expiring lease agreements, market changes or other factors."

The company also announced in May that it will be closing its Alliance Supply Chain facility in Haslet, Texas, around Nov. 1, according to a WARN Notice. As a result, as many as 296 employees could be laid off, though "a few" workers may be offered positions at other JCPenney locations.

The employees will be laid off in two waves, the WARN notice states: 42 employees layoffs Aug. 1-14 and 254 employees are set to be let go Nov. 1-14.

JCPenney sells 119 stores for $947 million

The Orange County closure comes after JCPenney announced in July that the Boston private equity firm Onyx Partners, Ltd., purchased 119 stores for $947 million. The companies expect to close the deal by Sept. 8.

Property management companies Newmark and Hilco Real Estate have been seeking buyers for these JCPenney locations for Copper Property, a trust formed by JCPenney's lenders as part of the retailer's reorganization after its 2020 bankruptcy filing.

Following JCPenney's bankruptcy, Copper Property took control of about 160 JCPenney locations and six distribution centers. Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management Inc. took over JCPenney operations and the remaining locations. The department store chain, which currently has about 650 stores, is one of the largest retailers to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The money from the acquisition will go to JCPenney's creditors. After closing costs, $928 million to $932 million will be distributed, principal financial officer Larry Finger said during a conference call discussing the transaction on July 28.

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.

Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: JCPenney is closing a 51-year-old store. See which location is closing its doors.

Reporting by Greta Cross and Mike Snider, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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