There will be no Christmas shopping at Mervyns this year. The Napa Mervyns store is closing.

On Wednesday Mervyns announced plans to close 26 of its 176 stores by late October or early November. The stores to close are “under-performing operations and are being closed as part of Mervyns’ reorganization to reduce expenses and reverse losses,” according to a press statement by John Goodman, chief executive officer of Mervyns.

Late last month, the chain announced it was going into Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but did not reveal any store closures. Other Mervyns locations among the 26 to close include those in Fairfield, Antioch and Livermore.

The closure of the Napa store could be good news for developer Keith Rogal. In June Rogal and partners completed their purchase of downtown’s largest store and adjoining commercial spaces — all previously owned by the estate of the late Napa businessman Ed Keith.

Mervyns holds a lease on the property with extensions into 2016. However, in July, Rogal said redevelopment of the Main Street block was “crucial to make a more pleasant and vibrant downtown.”

Rogal said he would like to see mixed residential and commercial use on the parcel, including parking underground or in a structure.

Reached Wednesday afternoon, Rogal said the closing was news to him and it was “just too early to know” how it affects plans for the site.

Craig Smith, executive director of the Napa Downtown Association, said he was surprised by the news.

“It’s a mixed bag, I think,” said Smith. “They certainly have a strong customer base in Napa.

“A number of people are going to be disappointed (about the closing) and a number will think it’s a great opportunity,” he said. “In the grand scheme of things, the passing of Mervyns will be like the passing of JCPenney — short term it hurts, but long term we move on. Overall, I’m optimistic.”

Robin Klingbeil, with the city of Napa’s Economic Development Department, said, “Mervyns has certainly filled a niche for our community. It’s been a consistently high-performing store, and the impact will definitely be felt. But we will work with the new ownership in a repositioning of that area and to provide something to fill that niche.”

‘Devastated’

Mervyns is a descendant of the department store formerly on the site, Albert’s.

When Roslyn Grossman, daughter of the Albert’s owner, married Mervyns founder Mervin Morris, the First Street store became one of the early Mervyns.

According to Roy Berces, with Mervyns corporate office, the Napa Mervyns opened in April 1962.

For many years, Mervyns was downtown’s largest department store. In the early 1970s, the city created a redevelopment project, razing several blocks of stores so that Mervyns could expand into a new building and remain downtown.

Mervyns remained a shopping mainstay for locals, offering clothing essentials while surrounding commercial spaces have trended toward upscale dining, retail boutiques and wine tasting rooms.

Mervyns shoppers were stunned Wednesday afternoon to hear the store is closing.

“I come here all the time,” said Dawn Stultz, who gasped when told the news. “I’d be devastated if they shut it down.”

Stultz, who said she shops at Mervyns almost weekly, praised Mervyns for offering “good quality and good prices.”

Without a Mervyns, she predicted she would be burning gas to a Mervyns in another city. Perla Nava, 14, said she felt “terrible” that her back-to-school clothing center would be departing. “They have pretty clothes and they last a long time,” she said.

Nicole Roper said she couldn’t understand it. The Napa store seemed popular, she said. “They always had a good sale,” said her husband, Steven Roper.

“I love Mervyns,” said Chris Schmitz, who was doing school shopping with her daughter Carly. “I've gone to Mervyns since I was a little girl.”

“I like the prices. They have a nice selection of clothes. It’s a nice store,” Schmitz said.

“I think it’s crummy,” said Jeannie Cowan, who feared that whatever replaces Mervyns would be aimed at tourists. Quite frankly, Mervyns hasn’t been as good as it once was, she said. “They went to a lower quality of clothes.”

Without Mervyns, she would try Wal-Mart, she said.

Employees got the news Tuesday afternoon and on Wednesday as they came to work. Management is still trying to reach some by phone, an assistant manager said.

Despite the planned shutdown, a “Now Hiring” sign remained posted by an eastern entry and a “Join Our Team” notice by the north door.

The store currently has 90 to 120 employees who will be offered jobs at other stores, “If opportunity for transfer arises,” said Berces.

“We thank our associates and our many loyal customers, especially those in these affected locations, who have supported us for many years. We are committed to treating those associates affected by today’s announcement fairly,” said Goodman.

Mervyns has retained an outside firm to assist in the liquidation sales of inventory at the closing stores. Liquidators may take over around Labor Day weekend, said Berces.

Berces said he doesn’t expect additional store closings, “This is the only round of store closings that I know of.”

“Our remaining Mervyns locations in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Utah continue to meet our performance objectives and we intend to focus our attention and resources on maintaining their future growth and success,” wrote Goodman.