The management for Steve and Barry's University Sportswear has still declined to comment on why they will be closing their Spruce Street location.
The clothing store -- which is under a lease with the University -- began their liquidation sale on Wednesday morning, and multitudes of shoppers eager for the new discounts crowded the store yesterday.
As of yesterday morning, the store had intended to maintaining regular store hours, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. However at around 5 p.m. yesterday, a sign on the door told any would-be costumers that the store was closed and would reopen at 9 a.m. Friday morning.
Although the store was officially closed, store employees, including the manager, were inside the building and refused to allow entry or make any comment regarding the store's situation.
No announcement has been made yet as to when the retailer will close its doors for good.
"[Steve and Barry's] didn't talk [to Penn] at all about the closing," Vice President of Facilities Omar Blaik said. "We have not received any notice from them."
The University will not take any action against Steve and Barry's at this time.
"I assume that they are in the process [of officially ending the lease]," Blaik said.
Blaik then added that the University will "just be waiting for word from them."
The Steve and Barry's University Sportswear corporate headquarters, which runs the fifteen Steve and Barry's stores across the United States from its location in Great Neck, N.Y., was again unavailable to be reached for comment.
The company has been a part of the Penn's campus for 17 years.
While not certain, Blaik still believes that the soon-to-be-empty retail space on Spruce Street will become a bank.
"Right now, the leading contender is a satellite branch of a bank service that will serve the University students." Blaik said. Blaik was unable to discuss any more specific details or to offer any other official comments.
