Jacksonville-based Stein Mart Inc. announced it will temporarily close all of its 281 stores at the end of business March 18 through March 31 because of the new coronavirus pandemic.
Stein Mart operates six stores in the Jacksonville area.
“We are deeply concerned about the health and safety of our customers, associates and communities. We have been closely monitoring the rapidly changing environment caused by the coronavirus and believe this is the appropriate action to take,” said CEO Hunt Hawkins in a news release.
“We will continue to assess new recommendations from health and governmental authorities and respond accordingly,” he said.
Stein Mart will suspend operations at its three distribution centers at the end of the week.
While Stein Mart plans to reopen its stores April 1, that date could be affected by recommendations from health and governmental authorities, it said.
Stein Mart continues to operate at SteinMart.com.
The national specialty off-price retailer operates in 30 states.