Harrison Thorp 5:38 a.m.
Wednesday, June 3, 2020 5:39 am

The JCPenney store at the Lilac Mall has remained closed despite being allowed to open under reduced capacity. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Rochester's JCPenney remains closed, but could be opening later this month, a spokesperson at their Plano, Texas, headquarters said today.

New Hampshire retails stores were allowed to open last month at reduced capacities after Gov. Chris Sununu began to flex open the New Hampshire economy in incremental steps, but the Lilac Mall anchor store stayed shuttered.

The spokesperson said about 175 additional JCPenney stores will reopen today, including one in Nashua.

The local store's website states, "This JCPenney location is temporarily closed to ensure the health and safety of our customers and employees."

JCPenney filed for bankruptcy protection last month, and soon after announced plans to close 242 of its 846 stores.

Rochester was not named among the stores to be closed.