CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WVEC) -- The list is not out, but with the announcement that retailer JCPenney will close between 130 to 140 of its locations nationwide, some people are especially fearful that the store at Chesapeake Square Mall will be on that list.
In 2016, Macy's closed its store at the mall. Prior to that, things went dark at another anchor store, Sears.
"When a store leaves, it kind of makes people want to go somewhere else," said business owner Delva Green.
Green has been selling clothing at a small kiosk at the mall since 2004. She said her sales have dropped at least $1000 a year.
The viability of Chesapeake Square Mall seems to have been in question for a long time as other tenants moved out. The property went into foreclosure last year.
If JCPenney closes, only Burlington Coat Factory and Target would remain as anchors.
"It may be the end of this mall if [JCPenney] leaves," said Green.
Steven Wright, Director of the Chesapeake Economic Development Corporation, said the the organization is hopeful for growth and constantly gets updates on new tenants from the property's new management company, Torchlight Investors.
Wright said he has not heard any news about the department store closing at Chesapeake Square Mall.
JCPenney has four other locations in Hampton Roads: Greenbrier Mall in Chesapeake, Peninsula Town Center in Hampton, Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News, and Lynnhaven Mall in Virginia Beach.