J.C. Penney announced last week that it planned to close 154 of its stores — including the one at the Clearview Mall in Center Township — after having filed for bankruptcy reorganization last month.

The department store chain was forced to close all of its stores during the coronavirus epidemic, making its attempted turnaround effort even more difficult.

J.C. Penney is a nationwide chain with more than 100 years of history. So, if that company’s struggle — especially in the wake of COVID-19 — has proven insurmountable, imagine being a small business owner trying to recover from the shutdown.

In the past few weeks, a number of businesses long closed have been able to reopen — including restaurants, barbershops and hair salons — at least in some capacity.

Although many eateries have been offering takeout during the pandemic, they are now able to begin offering limited capacity seating. While this may not be ideal, the combination of takeout options and some seating will hopefully enable these businesses to remain afloat.

We’re obviously sad to see J.C. Penney leave the Clearview Mall — it’s never a good thing to see a store close up shop, especially under such circumstances. The mall’s manager called the closing of the store “unfortunate,” and noted that it was one of the mall’s “original anchors.”

There are other national chains — AMC Theaters, for example — that are facing tough times ahead due to the coronavirus shutdown, but many of the country’s big-box retail stores, restaurant franchises and chain stores will probably make it.

So, now that Butler County is in the green phase — and every county is in at least the yellow phase — of reopening, those who feel safe to venture out among the public and spend money should be encouraged to patronize their mom-and-pop shops and neighborhood businesses.

Your local restaurants, barbershops, hair salons, farmers markets, garden shops, clothing and shoe stores and so many other types of businesses need your help. Their owners are your neighbors, so you know that the money you spend will help to keep your community vibrant.

We know many people are excited to get back to their favorite national retailers that they’ve missed the past few months — and they should by all means support them as well. But just don’t forget the little guy whose business makes your neck of the woods unique.