HELENA — After news broke of the pending closure of Helena's Macy's store, the president of the Helena Chamber of Commerce Cathy Burnwell, said the announcement took her by surprise.
“I know, personally, that this store was successful," said Burwell. "So, for them to close the store in Helena, Montana I think is really poor judgment because this area can really support a store like that.”
Macy's announcement comes on the heels of Shopko closing in 2019, the loss of KMart in 2018, and JC Penney store in 2017 in Helena.
Burwell says Helena is growing and the closing of these stores is likely more part of a national trend and not related to the local economy.
The company told employees at their Helena store on Monday that the location will close in eight to twelve weeks.
The closure will impact about 50 employees, but resources are available to help the employees who will be out of work.
With the Helena location closing, the only Macy's store left in Montana is in Bozeman, with the Macy's Missoula location closed since 2010.
