Peebles stores closing, reopening as Gordmans in 2020

Another store is planning to close in the Countryside Plaza in East Huntingdon.

Signs advertising “mega closing event” began appearing in the Peebles department store windows not long ago.

Unlike grocery store County Market, which closed in August, and Payless shoe store, which left the plaza two years ago, the Peebles’ closing will not leave behind another empty storefront.

“We are planning to convert a number of Peebles in western Pennsylvania to Gordmans stores in early 2020,” says Blakeley Graham, Stage Stores brand publicity manager.

Peebles and Gordmans are both Stage Stores subsidiaries.

Additional Peebles to Gordmans store conversions are planned in Belle Vernon, Ellwood City, Leechburg, Meadville, New Castle, Punxsutawney and Somerset, Graham says.

She adds that Pennsylvania and surrounding states are “a good fit” for Gordmans’ expansion plans.

Gordmans is described as an “off-price retailer,” offering name brand apparel, home decor, footwear, gifts, accessories and fragrances, similar to Peebles’ merchandise, but at lower prices than department stores.

Although she does not provide specific dates, Graham says Peebles’ locations are expected to close for less than two weeks in early 2020, leading up to Gordmans’ grand openings.

“All current Peebles associates will be offered jobs at Gordmans. Additional associates also will be hired during job fairs early next year,” she adds.