CHARLESTON, W.Va. —  The Charleston Town Center Mall is losing its last anchor store.

JCPenney has announced its closing its Charleston location on May 25.

The store has been at the mall since the mall opened in 1983.

A statement from the company said the decision to close the store was difficult to make.

“The decision to close a store is never an easy one. We are grateful to our dedicated associates and the loyal customers who have shopped at our Charleston location,” the statement said. “We continue to work to make every dollar count for families across America and welcome them to shop at our other JCPenney stores in the area and at JCPenney.com.”

580WCHS caught up with several shoppers outside the mall Monday afternoon.

“It’s the biggest reason why I know that I go to the mall and a lot of other people come to the mall–so losing that store–that’s the biggest attraction for people to come here,” the shopper said.

Another shopper said she shops at the store a few times a month.

“Where is there another Penneys? I live here in Charleston. I don’t drive to Huntington unless I have to. I’ve got may credit card I could shop online with them but I’d rather try things on,” she said.

Other shoppers said it’s just another sign of a declining Town Center Mall and a bleak future.

“It’s like a ghost town. It’s kind of bitter-sweet walking in there. It’s nothing like it was 30 years ago. It’s kind of sad walking in there,” the shopper said.

Another woman said it was depressing news.

“I don’t what’s going to happen to the mall and this whole area. I wish they would build it up,” she said.

Another said she wasn’t “heartbroken” that Penney’s was leaving but she did feel for the workers who will lose their jobs.

The Hull Property Group purchased the Town Center Mall in 2021 and owner Jim Hull told 580WCHS at that time that he was optimistic.

“We are so excited about joining the Charleston community. That will entail us having our first property in West Virginia. We think there is so much to be accomplished and it’s going to be a fun ride,” Hull said on 580Live with Dave Allen.

Since then both the former Sears and Macy’s anchor stores have been demolished.