Giants like J.C. Penney, Neiman Marcus, Sears and J.Crew are among the stores that have filed for bankruptcy in the past or recently during the pandemic, already stressed by billions of dollars in debt. Their futures hang in the balance as their leadership struggles through strategic plans to restructure, hoping that bankruptcy might save them. For Dallas-based Neiman Marcus and national fashion name J.Crew, bankruptcy does not necessarily mean permanent closure. J.Crew is hoping its sister denim brand, Madewell, which has done a lot better, will be able to help sales. But until the pandemic is over, all their brick-and-mortar stores are closed. Three months after filing for bankruptcy, Texas-based home decor retailer Pier One is permanently closing. It closed 450 stores across the country in February.