Bon-Ton officials hope to ‘preserve jobs’ after state announces closure of 12 Wisconsin stores

State says 2,255 jobs at risk

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Bon-Ton Stores Inc. officials said they are hopeful that “jobs will be preserved through a sale process” after a state agency announced the potential closure of 12 Wisconsin Boston Stores and Younkers Friday.

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development officials announced Friday that the closures could mean eliminating 2,255 jobs statewide, after the state received a letter from corporate officials. A Milwaukee corporate office was also announced as at-risk of closing.

Here’s the list of Boston Store locations that are closing: #news3 pic.twitter.com/w52ZqlyDhb

— Jessica Arp (@news3jessica) April 6, 2018

Among the 12 stores, two Boston Stores in Madison and one in Janesville were listed. These locations include the Boston Stores in East Towne Mall, West Towne Mall and Janesville Mall.

The closures would eliminate 291 jobs in Dane and Rock counties, according to the letter. The letter indicates that June 5 is the first day that employees would potentially lose their jobs.

#BREAKING: @bonton to close Boston Stores in Madison, Janesville, eliminating 291 jobs. #news3

— Jessica Arp (@news3jessica) April 6, 2018

In a statement Friday, Bon-Ton Stores Inc. officials said they are required by law to notify the state of potential job losses. Officials said they are hopeful that the potential sale of the company could preserve jobs:

“We are required to provide notification under certain state and federal laws of potential job losses even as we work diligently to complete a sale of the Company as a going concern. Bon-Ton is in active discussions with an investor group to acquire the Company in a court-supervised sale process. We are encouraged by the interest in Bon-Ton and we hope that jobs will be preserved through a sale process. We remain committed to pursuing the best path forward for the Company and its stakeholders, including Bon-Ton associates.”

Boston Stores closing in Madison (East and West) and Janesville according to DWD. 291 workers affected. Closures start in June.

— Eric Franke (@EricFrankeTV) April 6, 2018

Bon-Ton officials announced the closure of the Beaver Dam and Beloit Boston Stores in February.

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