McALLEN — The J.C. Penney store at La Plaza Mall celebrated its reopening Friday after it closed last year to repair damage caused by Hurricane Hanna.

The longtime department store closed July 25, 2020, after a portion of the roof collapsed due to the torrential rains and winds Hanna brought.

The store has since received extensive upgrades, including a new roof, flooring, fitting rooms, wider aisles, new graphics, and LED lights.

On Friday, the J.C. Penney Communities Foundation also donated $5,000 to support the Boys & Girls Club of McAllen.

Mariachi Continental performs for waiting shoppers in front of the newly rebuilt J.C. Penney on Friday for the store’s grand reopening celebration in McAllen. (Denise Cathey | AP Images for J.C. Penney)

Its CEO, Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar, said she appreciated the foundation’s generosity and its investment in the community.

“The grant funds received will be used to help provide a safe after-school learning environment for children in our McAllen community,” Gonzalez-Alcantar said in a news release Friday.

Following the event, attendees were invited into the renovated store to shop and win giveaways, including J.C. Penney gift cards, special coupons, and products.

“J.C. Penney has served the McAllen community for more than 45 years,” the company said in a news release Friday. “We look forward to building on this history as we welcome back our loyal customers.”


View the full photo gallery here:

Photo Gallery: J.C. Penney opens its doors again at La Plaza Mall

View the reopening here: