While shoppers like bargains, at least one didn’t like the reason the deals seemed awfully good Monday at the Meadowbrook Mall.

 

“I love shoes, but I’d rather not be able to buy these for this price than to see this store no longer be here,” said Harrison County resident Anita Burns. “You hate to see any store leave, particularly when it’s nationwide.”

 

The store in question was Payless Shoe Source. In recent days, it has been announced the shoe store is closing all of its 2,100 locations across the United States as well as Puerto Rico. A store employee said they weren’t sure when their final day would be. However, multiple media reports say stores will begin closing next month with most staying open until May.

 

The closings come amidst reports that it plans on filing a second bankruptcy later this month. In April of last year, the store filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed almost 400 stores. The move didn’t work as now the U.S. locations and online stores will also be closing. CNN reported that Latin American stores and other international franchises will not be affected.

 

Payless has been in business since 1956. There are more than 3,600 stores in 40 countries. The brand employs nearly 20,000 individuals.

 

 

Officials with the Cafaro Company, which owns the Meadowbrook Mall, have assured the community the mall is still healthy, recent closings that have nothing to do with the local economy have led to closures. National brands such as Radio Shack, Elder-Beerman and even a troubled Sears brand have all closed in recent years.

 

“It’s never good when a brand closes on a national level. When that happens, there’s nothing locally that can be done as it’s out of everyone’s hands,” said Bridgeport Community Development Director Andrea Kerr. “That doesn’t make it any easier to take, particularly when it’s a brand you’ve known most of your life such as Payless.”

 

Kerr, however, is confident Cafaro will work through this. She said they’ve helped keep the mall healthy for nearly four decades, which is well beyond the life span of most malls.

 

“I’m not sure who they have that handles bringing in business, but they always do a fantastic job in a tough retail environment to fill space,” said Kerr. “I have total confidence they’ll eventually fill that space and any vacant space at the mall.”

 

It didn't take long for Payless to begin getting rid of inventory. On Sunday, "Going out of Business" signs were already up at the Bridgeport location and discounts on shoes and all merchandise was being offered.

 

Editor's Note: Photos show the "closing" signs and customers lining up for deals this week at the mall's Payless location.