Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today attended the grand opening of the new JCPenney store at the Queens Center Mall in Elmhurst.  The new store creates 120 new jobs, employing a total of 450 people.   The new store is 50% larger than the JCPenney store it's replacing at the Queens Center Mall.  JCPenney has had stores in the New York City area since 1957.

"From the first day of our administration, we've focused on bringing jobs to New York City," said Mayor Bloomberg. "I'm happy to announce today that 120 addition jobs are coming to the Elmhurst JCPenney with the opening of their new store.  JCPenney has been an important contributor to the community here for the past 14 years, and we look forward to their serving Queens residents for many years to come."

"We listened to our Queens customers and built this store from their point of view," said Don Hoggatt, Senior VP & NE Regional Manager for JCPenney.  "We've had tremendous support in Queens, and now we're pleased to bring the community even more of the outstanding fashion, quality and value that JCPenney is known for.  We're inviting everyone to come and celebrate with us."

Besides the addition of furniture and house wares and an expanded selection of apparel and home furnishings, shoppers can enjoy the convenience of wider aisles, improved lighting and accessible customer service centers.  In addition, the store will have a full-service optical department for prescription eyeglass and contact lens needs, custom decorating services and a catalog/Internet service center where customers can place orders or pick up catalog and Internet purchases.

JCPenney is one of America's largest department store, catalog, and e-commerce retailers, employing approximately 150,000 associates.  J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc. operates 1,019 JCPenney department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, and 58 Renner department stores in Brazil.  The JCPenney Catalog, including e-commerce, is the nation's largest catalog merchant of general merchandise.