Boise store to close

BOISE -- The Mervyns department store chain announced Wednesday that it plans to close 26 of its locations in Idaho, Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas by this fall.

That's about 15 percent of the 176 stores the company operates nationwide.

Among the stores slated to close is the Mervyns at the Boise Towne Square Mall.

The Hayward, Calif.-based chain filed for Chapter 11 bankrupty protection last month. Company officials say this is part of a cost-cutting move.

Mervyns Chief Executive Officer John Goodman says the company will focus attention on remaining stores that meet performance objectives in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Utah.

"While the decision to close this group of under-performing stores was not easy, we believe this is a necessary step in our process to emerge from bankruptcy as a stronger company, better positioned to compete in the retail industry," said Goodman.  "We thank our associates and our many loyal customers, especially those in these affected locations, who have supported us for many years. We are committed to treating those associates affected by today's announcement fairly, and will seek to provide them with appropriate assistance to make this transition as smooth as possible."

About 90 to 120 jobs at each store will be eliminated by the closures, which are scheduled for late October to early November.