Weeks after filing for bankruptcy, JC Penney has announced it will close 154 locations nationwide, including the JC Penney Store at Mt. Berry Mall in Rome. The news came Thursday as company officials said the closings are part of its “store optimization strategy.”

With a June 11 hearing in its bankruptcy case approaching, JC Penney said, “Following a comprehensive evaluation of its retail footprint and a careful analysis of store performance and future strategic fit for the Company, JC Penney identified the first phase of 154 store closures.”

Other Georgia locations slated to close include:

  • Georgia Square, 3700 Atlanta Hwy, Athens
  • Northlake Mall, 4840 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta
  • Arbor Place Mall, 6650 Douglas Blvd, Douglasville
  • Lakeshore Mall, 150 Pearl Nix Pkwy, Gainesville
  • Statesboro Mall, 325 Northside Dr E, Ste 25, Statesboro
  • Hatcher Point Mall, 2215 Memorial Dr, Waycross

Store closing sales are expected to take 10 to 16 weeks to complete.

J.C. Penney’s announcement of the store closures this week follows the company’s declaration of bankruptcy in May.