FUN WITH MAPS ISSUE 2024-193

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (October 11, 2024) – In this edition of Fun with Maps we celebrate J.C. Penney becoming a truly nationwide retailer.

When it Fits, you Feel It

On October 11, 1929, James Cash Penney opened store #1252 in Milford, Delaware. 

What was remarkable about this is that Penney then had a store in every state in the US, making his business a truly national one.

With over 1600 stores nationwide in 1941, J. C. Penney dominated the retail trade, and its low-price promise helped weather the Depression.  The business continued to grow, reaching its peak of 2053 stores in 1973. 

The retail giant traditionally opened locations in downtown areas but did move to mall locations starting in 1961.  Unfortunately, the low-price leader eventually was overwhelmed by the big box giants like Target and Wal-Mart and internet services like Amazon. 

Ironically, Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart, worked for Penney’s in Des Moines for eighteen months in the 1940s.

The business continues to rebrand and try to stay afloat, despite closing almost 2/3 of its stores.  The original store in Kemmerer, Wyoming is still open.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.