first on decorahnews.com: Is Decorah's J.C. Penney's store closing? In a word, "NO!"

(Photo courtesy of Winneshiek County Assessor's Office)

Changes are in the works for the Decorah store of the JC Penney's clothing chain.  However, the changes are limited to possibly getting a new landlord--NOT the change of closing the store.

In fact, store officials tell decorahnews.com the company has just signed a lease extension that runs through the end of 2017.

And several Decorah residents have reportedly been interested in possibly buying the building.  The current owners--"Decorah Partners"--are based in the Twin Cities, despite the company's name.

If a Decorah resident or investors purchase the building, it will be one more step in giving security to having the Penney's store remain an important part of Decorah's downtown in the future.