J.C. Penny has (another) new CEO, and a renewed focus on its Middle America stores.

While the company does not plan additional store closures at the moment, one left Butte Plaza Mall in Butte, Montana earlier this year.

Manager Alana Ferko shared her disappointment when that decision was announced back in January.

“I’m very grateful for the mercy J.C. Penny showed, by not coming in and closing the doors. They gave us time to prepare,” Ferko said.

Even so, she said, “I miss them terribly.”

After a strong tourism and back-to-school season, Ferko is looking ahead to the Christmas shopping season. Despite strong economic indicators, she said, it feels like retail is still “flat-lining.”

But that Christmas spirit is infecting the mall, even before Halloween.

“Maybe that’s what I need just to pop me out of this,” Ferko said. “The cinnamon pine cones, it’s pretty exciting.”