By Sara Beth Williams–
National retailer Spencer’s has closed its Sunrise Mall location.
Spencer’s manager, Daniel Cornwell, told The Sentinel in March that the location’s last day of operation would be April 20. On a visit to the store on April 21, Sentinel staff found the location shuttered.
Spencer’s locations in the Galleria Mall and at Arden Fair Mall are still expected to remain open. Another Spencer’s recently opened in Elk Grove as well, Cornwell said.
Cornwall cited multiple reasons for the closure, including the lack of foot traffic, lack of active redevelopment, and other closures of mall businesses. Cornwell, who has been at the Spencer’s location in Sunrise Mall for ten years, will likely move to the Arden location, he said.
Regarding other staff members, Cornwell said he wasn’t positive about whether other employees will be transferred and that will depend on available space at other locations.
Spencer’s’ closure comes on the heels of several other major retailer closures, including Hot Topic, Macy’s, and Party City, which all closed in March. Fabric retail giant Joann is also going out of business, having announced it will close all 800 store locations this year. Joann in Citrus Heights is still open as of press time, with signs advertising 30 to 70 percent off store merchandise.
Spencer’s specializes in trending pop culture and unique graphic tees, body jewelry, décor, and more, and has existed for over 75 years, according to the company’s website. Spencer’s began as a mail-order company in 1947 and later opened its first retail store in 1963 at New Jersey’s Cherry Hill Mall. The company now has over 670 locations throughout the United States and Canada.
