BOISE Macy's announced plans Tuesday to close five stores, including its location in downtown Boise.
Sixty-one employees learned they will lose their jobs, but they do have the option of finding work elsewhere in the company.
A company spokesman says the Idaho market is an important one.
He says it's always difficult to close stores but if they're not performing well, the company has to streamline.
The downtown Boise store will begin final clearance sales this Sunday, Jan. 10, which will continue for about two months, when it finally closes.
Employees will be offered positions at the Macy's in the Boise Towne Square Mall and Nampa. They'll also have the option of working at other's Macy's stores around the country.
"We'll be working to place as many of them as we are able to in other positions. If that process doesn't yield a result and there are layoffs the employees receive severance and outplacement assistance," Macy's Inc. spokesman Jim Sluzewski said.
Macy's owns the store in downtown Boise. It will be putting the building up for sale soon.
The other stores the retailer plans to close are in Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey and in Missoula, Montana.
