Yesterday the rumors we've been hearing online and just about everywhere else about the closing of Dillard's at Central Mall in Lawton were confirmed. Sadly it's true, Dillard's is shutting it's doors soon. It's hard to imagine the mall with them, they've be with us since the very beginning. it really is the end of an era.

We're still unsure about the exact date they will close, sometime in August seems to be what most people have heard. In the meantime they're offering 20% off select merchandise to reduce inventory and begin emptying the store out.  I stopped by today and there were tons of people looking for bargains. Some of the shelves are already empty and items are being boxed up and ready to move out. It won't be long before it's completely barren.

Dillard's Closing sign cropped
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Shortly after the bad news broke several community leaders spoke out about the closing and it's impact on not just shopping options, but jobs and lost tax revenue for the city. It's really unfortunate that this is happening. It's terrible that people will be out of work and that we're losing a great store. As if that wasn't enough the potential revenue loss for the city couldn't have happened at a worse time as the city continues to struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic and all of it's economic impacts. The City Council is working on the budget and it's going to be very challenging.

Lawtonians aren't taking this sitting down. Already an online petition at Change.org has been created seeking signatures to hopefully convince the Dillard's Corporation not to leave the mall, or Lawton. Will it work? Well we have to try and it beats doing nothing. The petition has already passed it's original goal of 1.000 signatures and is currently at 1,570 as of (05-13-20) with a new goal of 2,500. If you would like to do your part in trying to save Dillard's in Lawton CLICK HERE AND SIGN THE PETITION. Who knows it very well could make a difference, at the very least it will let Dillard's know we want them here and hope they don't leave.

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