Greater Lehigh Valley hit by three Bon-Ton store closings

York-based The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. announced today that it will be closing 42 retail locations nationally, including a number in the Greater Lehigh Valley.

Closing are Bon-Ton stores in the Trexlertown Mall in Trexlertown, the Stroud Mall in Stroud Township and the Phillipsburg Mall in Lopatcong Township, N.J.

The store closures come as part of a previously announced restructuring plan as the retailer attempts to stave off bankruptcy.

“As part of the comprehensive turnaround plan we announced in November, we are taking the next steps in our efforts to move forward with a more productive store footprint,” Bill Tracy, president and chief executive officer for The Bon-Ton Stores, said in a release. “Including other recently announced store closures, we expect to close a total of 47 stores in early 2018.”

Six other Bon-Ton stores in Pennsylvania also will close.

Store closing sales are expected to begin Feb. 1 at the affected stores and are expected to run 10 to 12 weeks.

A third-party liquidator, Hilco Merchant Resources, will manage the store-closing sales.

Bon-Ton said staff at the closing stores will be given the opportunity to interview for positions at remaining stores.