Why Are So Many Stores Closing In Grand Junction?

The list of closures hitting the Grand Junction area continues to grow, and with no new places opening to replace them, residents are finding themselves having to change how they shop as well as where they shop.

Just take a look at the list. There are some long-time stores on this list that have shuttered their doors, are about to close, or are considering closing within the next year.

Why?

All signs point to Grand Junction rebounding from the economic downturn, so why are we losing these stores. Stores like the Gap, for example, closed because there was just not enough business. Other stores like Toys For The Fun of It, have seen business drop due to the proliferation of online shopping and its myriad options and closed in March.

Even Page-Parsons Jewelers, in business since 1955 closed its doors, the owners feeling it was time. Meanwhile, the choices for grocery shopping are now limited to WalMart, Safeway and City Market, as the closing of the Albertson's stores removed them from the list of options residents have had.

I hope we start to see some new stores moving in and starting their legacies here in Grand Junction. But we sure are going to miss many of the wonderful owners and former employees of these long-standing retail outlets.

Here is the list of closures so far: