Rumors can spread fast—especially in the retail world, where any closed door sparks talk of going under. Are you seeing headlines or hearing chatter about Von Maur going out of business? Let’s look at what’s really happening, so you can get the facts, not just the noise.
Von Maur’s Current Status: Setting the Record Straight
You might think department stores are on their last legs, with closures popping up across the country. But here’s the good news: Von Maur is not going out of business. In fact, this family-owned retailer is staying profitable, opening new locations, and investing big in its future.
How do you know if a company is thriving? Follow the money and leadership messaging. CEO Jim von Maur himself has been clear: the chain is “making money” and holding strong. Compare that to chains where leaders dodge profitability questions, and you’ll spot the difference.
Financial Health and Real Growth: More Than Staying Afloat
Von Maur is not just surviving, it’s growing. Revenue estimates consistently peg annual sales around $1 billion as of 2019. That’s a healthy figure even before you count the company’s commitment to staying privately owned—a rare and powerful position in today’s retail jungle.
Look at category performance. According to Jim von Maur, core segments like women’s sportswear, men’s apparel, shoes, and handbags are performing well. That’s not “circle the wagons” language; that’s growth talk.
Review your own KPIs—whether it’s revenue per square foot, customer retention, or sales velocity. Von Maur does this well. They focus on what actually moves the needle and reinvest accordingly.
Expansion Isn’t a Sign of Decline
Want to spot a struggling retailer? Look for constant store closures, fire sales, and management shakeups. That’s not what’s happening at Von Maur. Instead, the company continues to open new stores, reach new states, and relocate when it helps them serve more customers.
Consider this: Von Maur now operates 37 to 39 department stores, depending on source and timing. They just opened their first Pennsylvania store at South Hills Village in Pittsburgh. That’s a debut, not an exit.
Already planning next moves, Von Maur is slated to open its first North Dakota store at West Acres Mall in Fargo in spring 2025. When you’re willing to enter new markets, you’re thinking forward, not packing up.
New locations aren’t just pin drops on a map—they represent a bold bet on the future. If you’re running a growing business, take a page from Von Maur: research markets, find the right fit, and say yes to smart expansion.
Big Investments: Renovations, Not Liquidations
Sometimes the best way to keep customers coming back is to give them a fresh environment. Von Maur knows this. The company is putting $100 million into a renovation push across nearly 40 of its brick-and-mortar locations. That’s not a sign of a company winding down—that’s future-proofing.
Upgrades include revitalizing store interiors, improving customer service spaces, and adding more modern, high-touch features. In short, they’re making stores places people actually want to spend time. Would a company preparing to shut its doors burn this much cash on paint and polish? Not a chance.
This is classic “play to win” rather than “play not to lose”. Take note: If you want your business to thrive, don’t just focus on cost-cutting. Invest in areas where your customer experience stands out.
Why Do People Think Von Maur Is Shutting Down?
Here’s where communication gaps hurt. When a Von Maur store closes—like the Valley West Mall location in West Des Moines—people draw the wrong conclusion. But in most cases, these aren’t closures for good. They’re strategic moves.
What actually happened in West Des Moines? Von Maur closed at Valley West Mall because the mall itself faced foreclosure and a shrinking anchor lineup. The store didn’t just close—it relocated to a new, larger location in Jordan Creek Town Center.
Company representatives spelled it out: “We are relocating from the Valley West location to the Jordan Creek location.” Not a shutdown. Just a smarter move.
If you ever shift your own business or close a legacy location, communicate clearly. Tell your customers if you’re moving, not leaving altogether. Always be proactive in managing perception—it can make or break trust.
Department Store Comparisons: Why Von Maur Stands Out
Let’s get practical. Why are so many chains—Sears, Elder-Beerman, Bon-Ton—floundering, while Von Maur keeps growing? It comes down to operational discipline, strategic growth, and reading local markets with care.
Retail industry publications routinely describe Von Maur as “thriving” while competitors falter. Instead of retreating, they’ve even developed their Dry Goods specialty chain, giving them greater reach and a younger customer segment.
Expansion isn’t about ego. It’s about recognizing shifts in consumer behavior and capturing new opportunities. By investing in new stores and upgrading existing ones, Von Maur is capitalizing on the very trends that have sunk its rivals.
Use this mindset. Ask yourself: are you acting because the competition is, or are you choosing bold, strategic actions that actually build your base? When you focus on customer experience and invest in your core, you set up sustainable success.
Recapping the Reality: Von Maur Is Thriving
The rumor mill runs fast, but the facts are even stronger. Von Maur is a profitable, expanding, privately owned retailer—not a headline from a going-out-of-business sale.
Let’s recap the evidence:
– Profitable operations, as confirmed by CEO Jim von Maur.
– Roughly $1 billion in annual revenue.
– 37–39 department stores and growing.
– New store openings in Pennsylvania and North Dakota.
– A $100 million, multi-year renovation plan.
– Store closures that are actually relocations—not withdrawals.
– Expansion of the Dry Goods specialty chain.
If you see a local Von Maur “closure,” dig deeper. In many cases, it’s a move to a better spot or a smarter footprint, not a retreat. That’s a growth strategy, not a white flag.
Want more proof of how to spot real retail health? Check ownership structure. Von Maur stays family controlled and privately held, making choices for the long haul instead of chasing quarterly stock bumps. That’s a luxury many chains don’t have, and it shows in the way they invest and grow.
What Small Business Owners Can Learn from Von Maur’s Playbook
You don’t have to run a billion-dollar retailer to use these lessons. What can you take from Von Maur’s example? Here are a few practical, time-tested strategies:
- Stay Close to Your Numbers: Profit isn’t a “nice to have”—it’s everything. Review your margins, costs, and revenue regularly. Spot trouble early and pivot with confidence.
- Think Expansion, Not Retrenchment: When the industry tightens, many players panic and cut. But when you spot opportunity—new markets, better locations—don’t be afraid to invest.
- Renovate with Purpose: Your customer experience is your moat. Upgrade when it means people will come back. Spend money where it matters: better layouts, easier checkouts, warmer environments.
- Communicate Moves Clearly: If you’re closing a location, tell customers it’s a move, not a disappearance. Control the narrative and keep trust strong.
- Bet on Service: Von Maur keeps customers loyal with great service and exclusive brands. Make your own offerings hard to replace and people will follow you wherever you grow.
Want more insight on smart business moves? Visit Inflect Business for actionable, real-world advice designed for owners like you.
The Bottom Line: Don’t Believe the Closing Store Hype
Stores move, businesses evolve, and the marketplace never stands still. Von Maur proves that with solid numbers, strategic growth, and unwavering investment, a department store can not only survive but thrive.
If you want your own business to last and grow, focus on strategy and communication, not just the challenges in your sector. Von Maur isn’t going out of business—far from it. It’s making money, opening doors, and investing in the things that matter most.
If you see talk about closures, get the facts. There’s more behind the headlines—often, it’s a smart move, not a funeral notice.
Want to steer your business the same way? Make a plan, measure what matters, and always bet on the fundamentals. That’s the difference between rumor and reality—between managing decline and fueling growth.
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