The last 18 months the Stateline has endured a large number of store closings and it looks like the trend could continue into the rest of 2017.

The list of closings is staggering. In 2017 alone, we lost Payless Shoes, Lonestar Steakhouse, Egg Harbor Cafe, HH Gregg just to name a few, now word comes that other 34 notable businesses around the country could announce their closings before the end of the year.

The Palm Beach Post identified 34 retailers that are suffering from poor sales and too much overhead. As a result, many more store closures could be announced before the end of this calendar year.

18 of these stores have a presence in the Rockford Area. They are:

  • Shopko
  • Forever 21
  • Charming Charlies
  • Bloomin’ Brands (Outback Steakhouse)
  • Tailored Brands (Jos A bank & Men's Wearhouse)
  • Rent-A-Center (5 Stateline locations)
  • Guitar Center
  • GNC
  • Toys R Us
  • Sears Hometown (DeKalb location)
  • Noodles and Co.
  • Lumber Liquidators
  • Charlotte Russe
  • Bon-Ton Stores (AKA: Berger's in Rockford and Elder Beerman in Beloit)
  • Claire’s
  • Sears Holdings
  • Perfumania
  • Gymboree

Many analysts attribute the weakening sales to the move from brick and mortar stores to online sales.

Catch Mark Charvat on Q98.5 from 3 p.m to 7 p.m.. Follow him on Twitter, and Facebook

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