GNC to close store at Battlefield Mall

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based GNC Holdings Inc. (NYSE: GNC) announced it would close for good its Battlefield Mall store as part of bankruptcy proceedings.

The nutrition supplement retailer's 2825 S. Glenstone Ave. shop has been closed temporarily amid the coronavirus pandemic. A list of closures released by the company show three Missouri stores: Battlefield Mall in Springfield, Chesterfield Commons in Chesterfield and West Park Mall in Cape Girardeau.

Through the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing announced June 23, GNC announced it would accelerate the closing of at least 800 to 1,200 stores.

"This acceleration will allow GNC to invest in the appropriate areas to evolve for the future, better positioning the company to meet current and future consumer demand around the world," officials said in a news release.

GNC's closure list does not include a separate Springfield store at James River Towne Center or a location in Ozark.

Officials with the company cited the COVID-19 pandemic on top of the business being "under financial pressure for the past several years as we have worked to pay down debt and reposition GNC to be more competitive in a challenging operating environment."

In Battlefield Mall, GNC had operated near American Eagle Outfitters. A map of the mall at Simon.com shows the space as currently vacant.

Battlefield Mall also temporarily closed amid the pandemic. Sears announced it would shutter in mid-April, but the mall has announced new tenants, including clothing retailers H&M, Dry Goods and Aerie.