As you have probably already heard by now, the iconic JC Penny store in the city of San Fernando will be closing its doors for good this Saturday, July 28th, 2012 as reported by the Daily News. There have been attempts by locals including the Valley Economic Alliance to try to save this historic site which has been in existence since 1920 which moved only once to a 60,000 sqft building on the corner of San Fernando Road and San Fernando Mission Boulevard in 1953.
You can sign a petition at SaveSanFernandoJCPenny.com which also has support from a fellow San Fernando native George Lopez (who now lives in Toluca Lake). While the efforts to save JC Penny are much appreciated and admired, I doubt anything will change for the two simple reasons that San Fernando itself is slowly deteriorating from a lack of blue collar jobs and overall investment. Additionally the San Fernando Mall is no longer a popular spot as people flock to the indoor malls like the Topanga and Promende Malls both operated by the Westfield Company.
Speaking of investments, compare the San Fernando Mall to the proposed expansion at the Village at Westfield Topanga which is surrounded by big and small stores within a 1 mile radius. These expansions are taking place in the West Valley and not in places like San Fernando which appears to be that investors dont want to pursue any development as evidenced by JC Penny shutting its doors. But who knows, maybe there will be a turning point.
