February 9, 2012: The Bloomfield Pamida is shown shortly after the announcement that the small-scale retailer’s merger with Shopko would result in the Pamida name disappearing. The smallest stores, like this one, were rebranded Shopko Hometown.
The retailpocalypse is big, and it is also hitting places that are small.
Shopko filed for bankruptcy Jan. 16, and will close more than 100 stores, CBS reports. More than three dozen stores nationwide had already been slated for closure, including those in Cherokee, Eldora, and Webster City.
This news adds Bloomfield, Burlington, Clarinda, Estherville, Fort Madison, Hampton, Onawa, and Vinton to the list. Many towns will only have a Bomgaars or Theisen’s remaining as a chain clothing store. Bloomfield is one of the unlucky ones with neither.