The Kohl’s in Warsaw was set to close Thursday night, March 19. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

WARSAW – Three days after bars and restaurants were told to halt in-store business across Indiana because of the coronavirus, some retailers are now doing so on their own.

Customers arriving at TJ Maxx store in Warsaw found the door locked Thursday afternoon, March 19. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

On Thursday, two department store chains with locations in Warsaw – Kohl’s and TJ Maxx – closed their doors for the near future.

Larry Williams realized TJ Maxx was closed when he approached the entrance late Thursday afternoon at the shopping mall on SR 15N in Warsaw.

A sign said the store was “currently closed.”

Despite not getting a gift card, Williams, a pastor with Seekers of Warsaw, seemed to take it in stride.

“I’m happy people are trying to be safe,” he said.

He was unaware yet that Kohl’s, just to the south in the same shopping center, was preparing to close temporarily as well.

“I’ll be darned. It’s getting interesting,” he said.

Kohl’s had reduced its hours earlier this week and was still open late Thursday afternoon, March 19.

But a manager who asked not to be identified confirmed the Kohl’s store would temporarily close after Thursday night.

TJX, the parent company of TJ Maxx, also announced Marshalls and HomeGoods would temporarily close all of its retail locations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Wednesday, J.C. Penney announced it would temporarily close all stores and business offices in response to the coronavirus.