Elder-Beerman expected to close by the end of June

MORGANTOWN — A representative of Ohio-based Washington Prime Group, the parent company of the Morgantown Mall, said the company expects Elder-Beerman to close its Morgantown store by the end of June.
“Regarding the anchor space currently occupied by Elder-Beerman at Morgantown Mall, we are exploring opportunities with potential new tenants and will share details in the future,” Washington Prime Group Spokesperson Kim Green said.
When asked about rumblings of a Kohl’s possibly filling the vacancy, Green said she could not comment on potential tenants.
Bon-Ton Stores Inc., the parent company of Elder-Beerman, announced last month that the outcome of an auction for the company’s assets is expected to result in closure of all its retail outlets.
Elder-Beerman will be the second of the Morgantown Mall’s anchor stores to close in 2018, after Belk.
Lou Conforti, CEO and director of Washington Prime Group, said the Bon-Ton sale didn’t catch the retail development and management firm off guard.
“The liquidation of Bon-Ton Stores was expected, and we planned for it. We are currently vetting opportunities for the 16 stores within Washington Prime Group’s portfolio,” Conforti said.
Elder-Beerman also has stores in Bridgeport, Charleston, Hurricane and Martinsburg.
According to information presented by Bon-Ton, the company is headquartered in York, Pa., and Milwaukee, Wis., and operates 250 stores in 23 states.