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Shopping: These retailers will either make it or break it in 2021
From J.C. Penney to Victoria’s Secret, here are 8 retailers who will either make it or break it in 2021.
Staff Video, USA TODAY
Things are looking up for some Peoria-area restaurants, now that limited indoor dining is being permitted again.
But the COVID-19 retail environment still appears murky, at least locally.
The Shoppes at Grand Prairie lost one of its major tenants Saturday, when H&M closed for good. Grand Prairie Marketing Director Megan Otto confirmed the closing.
H&M is a Sweden-based chain that specializes in fast fashion — mass-produced replicas of high-fashion designs. It operates in 74 countries.
The Peoria outlet opened about five years ago.
Brick-and-mortar shopping was not in the greatest of shape even before the coronavirus pandemic struck. Non-essential retailers have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic’s effects.
“Assessing and reviewing our store portfolio to adapt to changing customer behavior is something that we have done ever since we opened our first store,” H&M stated in an email regarding the Peoria store’s shuttering.
“While physical stores will always remain important to us and something we continue to invest in, having the right stores in the right locations is vital to ensure our long-term and sustainable growth.”
H&M is the second clothier to leave Grand Prairie recently. J. Crew Factory store was scheduled to close by the end of January.
J. Crew filed for bankruptcy in 2020. H&M appeared to be in no such shape financially.
“Generally when a retailer makes the decision to close, it is due to a shift in business strategy, location strategy or local consumer demand,” Otto stated.
“We can tell you we were disappointed to find out that our location was a part of those decisions, and we will continue to work to provide the best possible mix of retailers to suit our customers’ shopping needs.”
Meanwhile, the recent easing of COVID-19 restrictions in the Peoria area has given some closed restaurants reason to reopen.
W.E. Sullivan’s Irish Pub and Fare in Peoria Heights has announced it’s reopening Jan. 26. Hours are to be limited initially, to account for changes in scheduling, ordering and staffing.
More: Two Peoria-area restaurants and bars closing indefinitely because of COVID-19 restrictions
More: Two more Peoria restaurants close for the duration of COVID-19 indoor-dining shutdowns
In late November, when Gov. JB Pritzker announced an indoor-dining ban for the Peoria region, Sullivan’s decided to close entirely for the duration, rather than rely on carryout orders and outdoor service.
Also reopening are two Peoria restaurants owned and operated by Chris Herold — Herold’s Pizza Oven and West Town Tap.
Herold’s Pizza Oven was to resume indoor dining at 11 a.m. Tuesday. West Town Tap reopened at 11 a.m. Monday, with 6 a.m. openings expected to resume Tuesday.
Both restaurants closed temporarily as the new year began.
Restaurants are allowed to reopen with restrictions on capacity, operating hours and size of parties, among other things.
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