First, this town lost its Macy's. Then Sears. Now, all eyes were on J.C. Penney.
Barbara Cake had made the sale. A man was hovering near the gold bracelets at the J.C. Penney jewelry counter when she said, "Hi, sir, how are you?" Before long, he was swiping his credit card for both a bracelet and a pair of diamond earrings for his wife. But Barbara wasn't done.
"If she doesn't...