Last Call: These Chain Stores Are Closing Locations in 2023
The retail sector can often be fickle, even when the company is loved and established. Some of the titans in the industry have faced tough times in recent years, with even the seemingly infallible ones shuttering locations for good.
From Aldi to Costco, Walmart, and even designer stores, it looks like no one is safe. Business status can change on a dime, but let’s see which household names are closing the doors for good in 2023. Will your local store be next – or has it managed to escape the retail apocolypse?
1. CVS
Year Established: 1963
Store Closures: 200 Branches*
While CVS (and its CVS/Pharmacy brand) has managed better than most to adapt to consumers’ online delivery needs, the company still faces an existential conundrum given its massive presence of nearly 10,000 stores nationwide. This mighty real estate investment in the face of dwindling walk-in customers has forced the company to both innovate and selectively cut back.
As a result, this year CVS plans to shutter at least 200 underperforming stores nationwide by the end of 2022, including its famous Springfield, Missouri location (known as the “largest CVS in the world”). Though this is less than 1% of their overall footprint, the move will cost CVS more than $130 million.
2. Dunkin’ Donuts
Year Established: 1950
Store Closures: 800
Dunkin’ Donuts is a company that many Americans know thanks to its advertising strategies. That doesn’t mean that it’s always going to be supremely profitable, though. The tides can change just as quickly on this business as they can anywhere else.
The company announced in 2020 that it would be closing the doors on over 800 locations. With an operation like this, it’s understandable that it’s being done in stages, with more stores still set to close by the end of 2021.
3. AMC
Year Established: 1920
Store Closures: TBD
There’s big money to be made in the movie business, but movie theaters don’t always get the biggest slice of the pie. Companies like AMC don’t even make the most money from movie tickets, instead of relying on concessions and add-ons for the most profit.
Like other theaters, AMC has been struggling over the last couple of years, with many questioning how some locations can stay open. The company is remaining relatively tight-lipped on the future of its theaters considering AMC has faced and avoided bankruptcy on four occasions in recent years.
4. Starbucks
Year Established: 1971
Store Closures: 500 Branches*
It’s been a tough time for the retail industry, but the hospitality sector has also taken a hard knock. Starbucks has been around since 1971, providing coffee lovers across the world with their daily cup of Java, but even this titan hasn’t come out of 2021 unscathed.
The popular chain announced closures of over 500 stores in the US and Canada as it turns its focus to pick-up only locations. Starbucks said that despite this, it was still hopeful that this move would “enhance the customer experience” and “enable profitable growth for the future.”
5. AT&T
Year Established: 1983
Store Closures: 320 Branches*
In 2020, AT&T closed down 250 of its physical stores. Now, it will be closing down another 320, according to the Communications Workers of America Union. The CWA said that these closures will lead to more than 1,600 job losses. AT&T has defended the total of 570 closures by saying it is “adjusting” its retail presence to “reflect” consumer “shopping practices.”
AT&T said that it always intended to focus more on online sales, as opposed to in-person store traffic. The retailer stated that the reason it was happening so quickly was that the retail apocalypse of 2020 accelerated the plans.
6. Bed Bath & Beyond
Year Established: 1971
Store Closures: 200 Branches*
Though Bed Bath & Beyond will be closing roughly 200 stores (less than four percent of its total stores worldwide) by the end of 2022, many market insiders predict that this may be the first few drops of a potential waterfall of closings within the next several years.
CNBC reported that Bed Bath & Beyond was trying to “save itself from extinction.” Business Insider was a little less optimistic, declaring that the “iconic brand” was experiencing a “rise and fall.” The company’s bonds have been straddling the border of junk debt for a while, trading at 73 cents on the dollar in December of 2019.
7. Walgreens
Year Established: 1901
Store Closures: 200 Branches*
Walgreens may be a surprising name to see on the list, as they seem to be everywhere in some cities in America. Nevertheless, they certainly have their competition cut out for them, with CVS and other big names dominating the drugstore industry.
Now, the pharmacy stores are closing off an even 200 stores, hoping to continue turning a profit in their other locations. Walgreens has continued to lose money, and Fox Business pointed out some shocking specs on the company’s failure. The company, owned by Walgreens Boots Alliance, lost $1.7 billion during three months in 2020. In 2021, the chain closed a further 17 locations in the San Francisco area, citing shoplifting.
8. Target
Year Established: 1995
Store Closures: 13 Branches*
Emerging as one of the biggest rivals to the retail titan known as Walmart, Target exploded to global success in the 2010s – though the company was actually formed more than a decade ago. At the time, it was known as Goodfellow Dry Goods.
Target has transitioned exceptionally well into the Internet age by focusing on Internet sales and targeting (pun intended) the more image-conscious consumer. Though revenues are up, Target plans to close about 13 locations through 2022 – though more store openings are likely on the horizon.
9. H&M
Year Established: 1947
Store Closures: 215 Branches*
H&M is the go-to retailer for shoppers all over the world looking for trendy pieces at an affordable price. From workwear to streetwear, and everything in between, the fashion giant has clothes for men, women, and children for every occasion.
Like other brick-and-mortar stores, H&M fell on hard times in 2020, announcing 250 store closures by the end of 2021. They then went back on their announcement after receiving surprisingly high sales figures in the fourth quarter of the year.
10. Best Buy
Year Established: 1966
Store Closures: >20 Branches*
Best Buy is a one stop shop for all things electronic. From great deals on flat screen TVs to finding a replacement for that one random cable you need for an old camera, they have everything you could want or need.
However, the tech retailer has faced a dramatic decline in sales over the years as the rise of online retail has taken hold. It’s unclear exactly how many stores will close in the following years, but higher ups at the company say the number will be greater than 20.
11. GNC
Year Established: 1935
Store Closures: 900 Branches*
Much like Earth Fare, GNC is another health and wellness store that has bit the dust. The vitamin retailer wasn’t doing well before 2020 hit, and the events that year just sealed GNC’s fate. In June of 2020, the brand declared bankruptcy and announced that it would close 900 of its stores, which number 7,300 in total.
The closures are slated to take place over the next few years, wrapping up in 2023. When GNC filed for bankruptcy, it asked a judge to protect it against creditors to which it owed money. The judge later would approve a sale to Harbin Pharmaceutical Holding Co., preventing GNC from being sold at auction.
12. Bath & Body Works
Year Established: 1990
Store Closures: 50 Branches*
Arguably one of the most consistent staples of any American mall, Bath & Body Works vaulted from relative obscurity to market king within a decade of its founding. The company is one of the few brands to not only escape the “retail apocalypse” of the 2010s – but actually flourish during this time.
Having said that, the company recently announced that 50 store locations, primarily in the United States, will be closing permanently by the end of 2022. The company plans to offset this with a three-year plan to open to 46 new locations and renovate up to 175 pre-existing locations. Considering the company operates more than 1,600 stores worldwide, this is hardly a drop in the bucket.
13. Ulta Beauty
Year Established: 1990
Store Closures: 19 Branches*
Ulta Beauty is a dream for people who love makeup. It has pretty much every product you could ever want, and it is always making new deals with beauty brands and other stores. For example, Ulta announced that it was going to open one-hundred mini-stores in Targets across the country during the latter half of 2021.
These new openings were exciting to fans, but not all the news from Ulta was positive. Ulta not only shrank its corporate staff, but it also announced its plans to shut down nineteen stores during the third fiscal quarter of 2020. Hopefully, Ulta shoppers whose favorite store closed will be able to go to Target, instead.
14. Pet Valu
Year Established: 1975
Store Closures: 358 Branches*
For decades, Pet Valu was a discount way to get supplies and services for your pets. Fans of the chain were disappointed to learn that Pet Valu was going to close down all 358 of its stores. The announcement was made in November of 2020, and the closures are still ongoing.
Pet Valu said it was winding down all of its operations, including corporate offices and warehouses. The beneficiary of this closure ended up being Pet Valu’s former rival, Pet Supplies Plus. Pet Supplies Plus acquired forty of Pet Value’s stores, and it announced in December of 2020 that it would rebrand Pet Valu in P.S.P.’s image.
15. The Gap
Year Established: 1969
Store Closures: 350 branches – all UK and Ireland Locations*
In addition to as many as 350 store closures worldwide leading up to 2024, The Gap has had a massive restructuring and rebranding happening in an effort to stay ahead of the competition and reduce overhead.
With more than 2,300 domestic locations, former CEO Art Peck predicts that more than 50% of all The Gap’s locations could be closing in the coming years as part of this shift. Overseas customers have already seen many Gap stores shuttering in recent years, with especially large cutbacks in Israel and Australia.
16. Victoria’s Secret
Year Established: 1977
Store Closures: 30-50 Branches*
Victoria’s Secret was founded by Roy and Gaye Raymond in 1977. The lingerie store is credited with bringing hip, fashionable lingerie into the mainstream. The company later opened its subsidiary Victoria’s Secret Pink, which includes apparel and sleepwear. It was Pink that ended up closing first, as Victoria’s Secret decided to focus solely on lingerie.
In 2019, Victoria’s Secret became the largest retailer of lingerie in the US but has seen sales gradually decrease. To keep revenues up, the company closed more than fifty locations in 2019 and 250 in 2020 in order to compete with the demands of e-commerce.CEP Stuart Burgdoerfer told ABC News, “We would expect to have a meaningful number of additional store closures beyond the 250 that we’re pursuing this year, meaning there will be more in 2021 and probably a bit more in 2022.”
17. Urban Outfitters
Year Established: 1970
Store Closures: TBD*
In the first quarter of 2020, Urban Outfitters’ stock dropped a whopping 32%. The store’s fate has only worsened in the months since, and one Barrons.com stock analyst said to sell the stock in July of 2020. In-store sales have dropped significantly.
Urban Outfitters has done better on digital sales however, seeing a 76% rise in new digital customers in the second quarter of 2020. However, though digital sales are still sales, retail locations continued to under-perform well into 2021. Urban Outfitters has been around since 1970 infiltrating “trendy” niche in the retail sector. However, it takes more than just a niche to keep a business surviving and thriving. There could be tougher times ahead.
18. The Children’s Place
Year Established: 1969
Store Closures: 122
The Children’s Place has been a go-to store for many parents and families for over 50 years, but the company has faced a tough time of it. Even before 2020 profits were starting to fall, so it’s hardly surprising that some big changes were announced in March of 2021.
The company decided the best course of action is to close 122 locations by the end of the year, on top of the 178 other locations that were closed in 2020. It’s a devastating blow to employees, but executives hope it will give the brand what it needs to be able to trade another day.
19. Neiman Marcus
Year Established: 1907
Store Closures: 4 Branches*
The news about Neiman Marcus broke in mid-April of 2020, so the exact amount of store closures for the 113-year-old retailer is, for now, unknown. Inside sources at Neiman Marcus confirmed to Reuters that the Dallas-based business is in the process of declaring bankruptcy and negotiating with creditors for an emergency loan.
Thankfully, the process was resolved in late 2020 and Neiman Marcus was purchased by several investment firms, which plan on bringing the company back to its former glory.As of mid-2021, the much-loved brand is trying to get back on its feet and expand its digital presence fwhile holding on to stores. The New York Times described Neiman Marcus as a former “symbol of luxury” – but whether more stores will close in 2022 remains to be seen.
20. Foot Locker
Year Established: 1974
Store Closures: 117 Branches*
The bad news: sportswear favorite Foot Locker has announced plans to close some 117 stores. The good news? The majority of these stores are located overseas, meaning its US market and locations will remain mostly intact.
However, sales aren’t the full picture of what is going on at a store. Foot Locker might have strong sales numbers, but not everything is smooth sailing. The closures are occurring because of a shakeup in management. Foot Locker got a new CEO, and the CEO is having the company lay off employees and cut jobs to reorganize.
21. Guess
Year Established: 1981
Store Closures: 200 Branches*
Guess has been part of American history since it emerged from California in 1981, but like many luxury retailers, things haven’t been easy lately. In January 2021, Guess announced plans to close 200 stores across the world in the following two years. While it equates to just 9% of their global presence, the majority of closures will be in the US and China.
Stock in the company is down 52% in the last year thanks to closures due to the pandemic. With no other way to recoup their losses, Guess is doing what many other retailers are opting to do – close their doors and hope for better days.
22. Walmart
Year Established: 1962
Store Closures: 154 Branches*
As the old saying goes, “When one door closes, another opens.” This is the case for Walmart, which announced that it would be closing 154 stores through 2022. The department store had closed the exact same number a few years ago, but it didn’t leave everyone with all bad news.
Walmart said that it would open between fifty and sixty new Walmart SuperCenters (Walmart stores with eye care, pharmacies, and a restaurant in them), as well as 85 to 95 regular “neighborhood markets.” According to the chain, approximately 10,000 employees will be affected by the closures.
23. American Eagle Outfitters
Year Established: 1977
Store Closures: Up to 250 branches*
American Eagle Outfitters has been around for some time, with hundreds of stores across America. While it’s not the biggest retailer out there by any means, the company has big plans and hopes to reach a revenue of $2 billion by 2023. In order to make this happen, it plans on closing around 250 stores by 2023.
That way, it hopes to be able to focus on growing its other brand, Aerie, and pool more resources in that direction. It will be a long process, but it’s worth keeping an eye on your local store. The retailer is a fixture in malls across the country, so it’ll be sad if it starts to disappear.
24. DSW
Year Established: 1969
Store Closures: 65 stores over the next four years*
Designer Brands, also known as DSW, found it particularly hard to come out of 2020 unscathed. The business reported a 36% drop in sales thanks to temporary store closures, and like many, needs to find a way to recoup its losses.
Over the next four years, the business plans to close 65 different stores. That may come as a shock to long-standing lovers of the clothing retailer, but it’s just one of many fashion houses looking to scrape some money back from a disastrous period.
25. Pottery Barn
Year Established: 1949
Store Closures: 3 Branches*
Owned by Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn had announced the closure of at least one of its store locations before the beginning of 2020, it is currently unknown if any more stores are slated to close by the end of the year. The brand is associated with hip, posh home furnishing decor and is based in San Francisco.
Alas, despite pop culture accolades, there is no denying that Pottery Barn is struggling in the market right now. The Denver Post pointed out the problem back in 2017, stating that the company was “struggling to adapt” to a changing “retail landscape.” The company’s furniture is not apartment-sized, and that has cut out a huge segment of potential customers.
26. Macy’s
Year Established: 1858
Store Closures: 125 Branches* (Over the next 3 years)
A longtime hallmark of just about every mall in America, Macy’s department store closed 28 stores in 2020 alone. While more are on the way, loyal Macy’s customers can relax, at least for now. Chances are your local store isn’t going anywhere – the company will be closing roughly 125 stores over the course of the next three years.
These 125 closures come on the heels of Macy’s decision to shutter nearly 100 total locations nationwide over the last few years. This represents almost 15% of Macy’s total physical presence in America (the brand currently operates an estimated 690 of its signature department stores).
27. Disney
Year Established: 1987
Store Closures: 60 stores*
It goes without saying that Disney has been around a lot longer than 40 years, but the very first Disney store opened back in 1987. Kids and families have been going wild for the locations ever since, but even this titan has fallen on hard times.
The House of Mouse announced plans to close 60 of its stores in North America by the time 2021 draws to a close. Considering Disney has a total global presence of 300 locations, that’s a fair slice of the pie. More stores could be shuttered on top of this number.
28. Banana Republic
Year Established: 1978
Store Closures: 84 Branches*
In 2016, Banana Republic began to have problems. The fashion chain shut down all of its stores in the UK. In 2017, it counted 700 stores left, most of them in America and Asia. Banana Republic’s woes have continued, and it is reported to be closing 84 stores in total over the next few years.
The average pace for the retailer is 15 store closures per quarter, though that might pick up pace in the future. Banana Republic has also announced closures of Jack and Intermix, two of its other sister stores, though exact numbers on those are unclear.
29. Kmart
Year Established: 1899
Store Closures: 100+ branches*
Things just keep getting worse and worse for Kmart**. Once a serious competitor to the likes of Walmart and Target, Kmart’s sales began sinking in the late 1990s. The company found itself declaring bankruptcy in 2002 and forced to fire more than 30,000 employees. The company managed to rebrand itself the following year, tallying its first year-over-year increase by 2005 thanks to a merger with Sears.
But the rise of e-commerce proved to be a fatal blow for Kmart. By 2010 the store was shutting down dozens of locations, followed by seemingly endless liquidations and failed attempts to reboot their brand. Kmart filed Chapter 11 again in 2018, announcing that hundreds of stores would be closing immediately. Ahead of 2020, the company announced that at least another 100 locations will be closing for good – adding to the growing belief that Kmart’s days are all but numbered. A CNN report stated that by the end of 2021 just 48 Kmarts would still be in operation, “They’re closing stores where possible and listing virtually all of other locations with commercial real estate brokers.”
30. Chico’s
Year Established: 1983
Store Closures: 100 Branches*
Known for its hundreds of nationwide locations, Chico’s** has announced plans to close some 100 stores by 2022. This includes a slew of the original Chico’s brand stores, along with several dozen Soma and White House Black Market stores, which fall under the Chico’s brand.
Originally started in 1983, Chico’s became one of the fastest-growing women’s fashion retailers within the decade. The brand saw major boosts from stars like Martha Stewart and Oprah (who particularly loved their Silver Ox Cuff Watches).
31. Office Depot
Year Established: 1986
Store Closures: Unknown*
One of the largest office supply chains in the U.S., Office Depothas headquarters in Florida and over a thousand locations across North America. The company has done its best to compete with Amazon and other E-Commerce titans over the years.
Stock prices sagged in 2019 following disappointing sales, triggering the company to slate several dozen stores for closure before the beginning of the 2020 fiscal year. In early May 2020, the company announced a restructuring that would include closing stores and laying off 13,000 workers by the end of 2023.
32. Kohl’s
Year Established: 1962
Store Closures: 27 Branches*
Kohl’s is a department store that sells clothes, home goods, makeup, jewelry, and more. Similar in composition to Macy’s, it is also going the same way as its main competitor. This is because 25% of malls, according to a Credit report, will be going out of business in the next few years.
Kohl’s has closed its mall locations and is focusing on expanding its standalone stores and online presence. Kohl’s has been praised for its economic resilience, which comes from the company’s lack of notable reliance on mall traffic.
33. Carter’s
Year Established: 1865
Store Closures: 25 Branches*
Carter’s Inc.** is a baby clothing and kids’ apparel store that owns OshKosh B’Gosh, the William Carter Company, and similar retailers. It brings in $3.4 billion in revenue each year, and it employs nearly 21,000 employees. However, Carter’s has not been immune to consumer shopping habits and has had to close down several branches.
Carter’s has shut down many OshKosh B’Gosh branches recently. It has decreased physical store presence, but it is expanding in other areas. It currently operates brands that are exclusive to major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Amazon. These brands include Simple Joys, Child of Mine, and more.
34. Express
Year Established: 1980
Store Closures: 60 Branches*
In the beginning of January 2020, the dress clothes retailer Express announced that it would be making some cutbacks, effective by 2022. The closures would commence in 2020. Express announced that it would close 100 stores, beginning in January. This year, it will close 31 stores in 20 states, with California’s mall locations being the first to go.
Express originally stated that it would close 91 locations, but they boosted that amount quickly. Another 35 closures will take place in 2021, and the remaining will take place in 2022. Express decided to make the closures as it struggles with low sales numbers, probably spurred by the rise in e-tail.
35. Modell’s
Year Established: 1889
Store Closures: 134 branches (all stores)*
One of the oldest companies on the list, Modell’s Sporting Goods has long been a mainstay in the world of sporting equipment, holding their own against once-giants of the industry such as Sports Authority, Dick’s, and Galyan’s.
Now that most pieces of sports equipment can be bought online for cheaper, they too are beginning to struggle. Since falling on hard times, Modell’s has seen 134 stores close in 2020-2021, liquidating all brick-and-mortar stores. Modell’s, a major Dick’s Sporting Goods competitor didn’t adapt to a changing market and “failed to invest.” Modell’s officially filed for bankruptcy in March of 2020. The branch closure announcement came shortly after, with Modell’s moving to secure an online-only presence moving into 2021 and 2022.
36. White House Black Market
Year Established: 1985
Store Closures: 1 Branch*
White House Black Market closed the majority of its stores in 2019 when it shut down 100 stores. White House Black Market is an upscale retailer, and the parent company that owns WHBM also owns Chico’s. Chico’s will close 150 of its outlets.
One of the final WHBM stores closing is its Bayshore location, according to MSN Money. Another brand under the same parent company is SOMA, though closures for SOMA have yet to be announced. WHBM stated in an interview that it wanted to change its focus from in-person traffic to its omnichannel presence, balancing its store portfolio.
37. Z Gallerie
Year Established: 1979
Store Closures: 7 Branches*
Z Gallerie announced back in 2019 that the company had hit hard times when it filed for bankruptcy. The home decor retailing company had 76 stores scattered across America, but it now looks like at least 10 of those locations closed in 2019 and there are 7 more that will be gone for good by the beginning of 2022.
The company was originally formed back in the late 1970s, slowly growing into one of the nation’s most diverse home furnishing chain stores. Z Gallerie was able to overcome bankruptcy in 2009, and they were able to do the same now. The company was purchased by Direct Buy in July 2019 and opened four new Z Gallerie stores nationally.
38. Burger King
Year Established: 1954
Store Closures: 200-250 stores*
Business Insider called Burger King a restaurant that we can expect to “see a little less of come 2022.” The burger-and-fries chain is owned by RBI, and its parent company was in charge of making the decision to close between 200 and 250 Burger King restaurants, in an attempt to boost profitability in certain underperforming areas.
RBI has long planned to open new Burger Kings, and it has an ambitious plan to have 40,000 restaurants in total, though its plans slowed down in 2020. It opened 1,042 new Burger Kings in 2019, but that trend was reversed in 2021—though, hopefully, temporarily.
39. Christopher & Banks
Year Established: 1956
Store Closures: 37
News broke in mid-January of 2021 that retailer Christopher & Banks, which sells women’s clothes and accessories in forty-four states, would be filing for bankruptcy and closing down 37 of its stores (with likely more to come).
Jones said that the “financial distress” caused by the recent global environment required Christopher & Banks to make tough choices to “position…for the future.” The statement continued, warning that fans of Christopher & Banks might see all of its brick-and-mortar stores close in the near future, if the situation doesn’t change.
40. Vera Wang
Year Established: 1990
Store Closures: 50 Branches*
Vera Wang announced that it would be closing fifty stores by the year 2021. The retailer wants to focus more on its licensing than its brick-and-mortar stores. Vera Wang escaped the retail plunge in 2019 pretty much unscathed. 9,300 stores closed in 2019, but the luxury retailer saw few closings.
Vera Wang made a name for herself designing high-end wedding gowns. As of summer 2021, Vera Wang gowns are still available to purchase at stores such as Neiman Marcus, SOYOO Bridal, and more. That being said, 2022 could hold more reductions in Vera Wang’s physical presence in stores.
41. Zara
Year Established: 1974
Store Closures: 1,200 Branches*
FastCompany.com described Zara as the latest “retail victim” of 2020. The clothing store will be closing all 1,200 of its locations by the new year, focusing more on online shopping. The brand, which is owned by Inditex, a Spanish company, said that it is looking to take its fashion brand into 2021 with a more modern approach.
Inditex made the decision to go all-digital when it saw its in-store sales slump by 44%. The parent company announced that it would invest $3 billion into the online Zara stores in 2021. As Glossy put it, this is another “fast-fashion exit” from the world of physical sales. Some stores still remain operational in different territories moving into 2022, but more closures could be imminent.
42. Williams-Sonoma
Year Established: 1956
Store Closures: 30 Branches (reducing by a further 25% over the next five years)*
Known for its wide selection of fancy kitchen-and-home furnishings and appliances, Williams-Sonoma has a small army of brands including Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma Home, and West Elm. The company is more than a half-century old, and has successfully transitioned into one of the biggest e-commerce giants on the globe.
With that in mind, the company’s decision to shutter roughly 30 of their physical store locations back at the end of last year likely didn’t come as much of a shock. The company’s brand continues to expand across the world and tallies profit every year, but has said there are plans to reduce its physical footprint by an additional 25% over the next five years.
43. Denny’s
Year Established: 1953
Store Closures: 15*
New Yorkers who love Denny’s will be sad to hear this one. Denny’s announced in 2020 that it would permanently close fifteen of its stores, laying off over 500 workers. The WARN notices filed in the state blamed the “unforeseen” complications from the global situation. The Denny’s restaurants were all owned by the same franchisee: Feast American Diners.
Feast operates 230 restaurants in total, including Corner Bakery Café and Jack in the Box, in ten states, making customers wonder if the closures will expand to more than just a few Denny’s. Of all the locations of the closures expected to continue for Denny’s into 2021 and beyond, Rochester, NY is the hardest hit.
44. Francesca’s
Year Established: 1999
Store Closures: 140 stores*
As we well know, 2020 was a cruel year for many businesses. Some managed to emerge unscathed, while others had no choice but to reevaluate. Fashion retailer Francesca’s has a 20-year legacy, but that wasn’t enough to save it entirely.
The Texas-based company filed for chapter 11 at the tail of 2020, announcing its plans to close 140 out of 700 locations. While many of the popular sites remain open, it sets a worrying precedent for the company moving forward. Loyal customers hope Francesca’s is able to weather the storm.
45. Ralphs
Year Established: 1873
Store Closures: 2 stores*
It might be hard to believe, but Ralph’s has been around since 1873. That’s a long time for any supermarket. While the Kroger-owned chain isn’t as big as some other grocery stores, it’s still a beloved name. Sadly for some LA residents, two locations are closing their doors in 2021-2022.
The Pico Boulevard and West Slauson Ave spots will shutter for good midway through the year, much to the disappointment of locals. A spokesperson for the brand admitted that it was down to huge financial losses during 2020 and was essentially damage limitation.
46. Family Video
Year Established: 1978
Store Closures: 200 Branches*
Family Video, an Illinois-based DVD rental chain, was one of the last of its kind. It announced that, by 2021, there would be no more Family Video in many locations, as rough sales in 2020 forced it to make “tough business decisions.” The chain will be closing 200 of its stores. There are just 400 remaining.
How Family Video has managed to hang on this long is a mystery, as everyone remembers the demise of Blockbuster Video and similar chains. Forbes credited the “last video chain[‘s]” survival to its simple business method. The retail chain was worth $750 million in 2017, though that will likely change by 2022.
47. OfficeMax
Year Established: 1988
Store Closures: 90 Branches* (Over the next 2 years)
Much like its parent company, Office Depot, OfficeMax is one of the leading office supply retailers in the United States – though the chain also has locations in Mexico and Canada as well. The company was formed in the late 1980s, merging with Office Depot in 2013.
OfficeMax shuttered several dozen of its store locations following sagging sales in 2019 and is said to be closing another 90 stores over the next two years. The liquidation is seen as a much-needed step to get the company back on its feet and meet its profit expectations.
48. Tiffany & Co.
Year Established: 1837
Store Closures: 1 Branch*
Tiffany & Co. is one of the oldest jewelry stores in history, having been founded in the mid-nineteenth century. The brand announced in 2020 that it would be temporarily closing its flagship location in NYC for renovations. The Fifth Avenue store is perhaps Tiffany & Co.’s most famous location, so fans of the brand will be relieved that the closures are not permanent.
When asked about the closures, Tiffany’s reassured Americans that it wasn’t permanent, nor was it a sign of troubled times ahead for the business. It said in a statement that “love and optimism” were at the heart of the brand, always. Delays mean the store won’t open again until spring 2022.
49. Zales
Year Established: 1924
Store Closures: 455 Branches* (Over 3 year period)
Zales is a jewelry store that is a subsidiary of Signet Jewelers. Zales is the sibling company of Kay Jewelers, and Zales is popular in malls and department stores. Signet announced that it was planning massive closures of its subsidiaries. Signet stated it would close 13% of its stores in total.
This thirteen percent equates to 455 of its locations. The giant operates 3,500 locations in total, and its closures will take place over a three-year period, giving consumers time to adjust. It made the groundbreaking announcement in the spring of 2019, making the news official.
50. Luby’s
Year Established: 1947
Store Closures: All
Luby’s first set up shop in San Antonio, Texas, in 1947 before going on to expand and open tons of different locations. Customers were saddened to learn in 2021 that the company was going out of business. It announced plans to close all of its spots by 2022 and withdraw the brand totally from view.
It swiftly made moves to sell all locations that it could but the process is still ongoing. The southern-style food will be missed by faithful customers, some of whom have been visiting the cafeterias for the past 70 years.
51. Pizza Inn and Pie Five
Year Established: 1958/2011
Store Closures: Continuous
Hospitality chains and restaurants have found the past couple of years particularly difficult, especially if they were already seeing a loss of takings to begin with. Pizza Inn and Pie Five closed over 40 locations in 2019, but each year they have steadily closed more locations, according to Eat This.
With that being said, it’s likely that we’ll see more closures from this Rave Restaurant Group-owned property. Pizza is still a much-loved food, but restaurants in this area seem to be finding it more and more difficult to stay on top when there is so much competition.
52. Roti
Year Established: 1998
Store Closures: A third of all locations
Roti made an impact as a modern Mediterranean restaurant, but 2020 wasn’t kind to the business. In order to recoup the financial losses made during one of the hardest times in modern history, the company was left with no choice but to announce the closure of a third of locations.
Chicago is the area hardest hit, with six Roti restaurants bidding farewell to locals over the coming period in 2021. Hopefully, the closures will allow the company to get back on steadier ground and find a way to move forward.
53. Collected Group
Year Established: 2001
Store Closures: TBD
Collected Group isn’t a chain of stores in itself, but it owns plenty. The company owns Joie, Current/Elliott, and Equipment brands. Sadly, the business has been trying to keep its head above the ground for some time, leading to a chapter 11 filing in mid-2021.
The company owes an impressive amount of money to different lenders, so it’s no telling what might become of it as we move into a new year. The estimated total debt is upward of $200 million to various creditors.
54. CSA Czech Airlines
Year Established: 1923
Store Closures: TBD
Not many airlines are as old as CSA Czech Airlines, but as we well know, age means nothing in the business world. Companies that are long in the tooth can fall just as quickly as young bucks. In February of 2021, CSA announced it was closing its entire operation after being unable to repay debts.
However, at the time of writing in August 2021, the company is still in operation with a significantly reduced fleet. The exact fate of this nigh 100-year-old company is still to be seen, but it certainly doesn’t look promising.
55. IHOP
Year Established: 1958
Store Closures: 100
IHOP has offered customers the chance to eat affordable food in a decent setting ever since 1958. Some regulars have been going to their local locations since they were kids, but sentimentality never made a business more profitable.
Sadly, IHOP announced in 2020 that it would close around 100 locations by the middle of 2021, meaning that tons of travelers will be turning elsewhere for their mid-road-trip meals. It’s likely that other big fast-food titans will pick up the slack.
56. McDonald’s
Year Established: 1955
Store Closures: 100+
It’s no secret that McDonald’s is the biggest fast-food chain on the planet, with locations in almost every territory. McDonald’s has survived since 1955 for many reasons, including its ever-changing business strategy. In 2021, the company announced plans to close tons of restaurants situated inside Walmarts.
At one point in time, the partnership between Walmart and McDonald’s was strong, with over 1,000 locations inside the stores. Now, after the closures come into full force, there will only be an estimated 150 spots left open.
57. Westfield Malls
Year Established: 1960
Store Closures: TBD
American is well-known for its shopping malls, some of which are operated by Westfield. Malls and department stores have been hard hit in recent times, so it’s hardly surprising that some mall landlords are looking to change their strategy.
Westfield announced plans to “significantly reduce its financial exposure to US assets in 2021/2022” according to Retail Dive. It’s not clear which locations will be on the chopping block, but it’s likely that some may close, while others may be sold on.
58. Becca Cosmetics
Year Established: 2001
Store Closures: All locations
Becca Cosmetics operated for two decades before it took a devastating blow in 2001. At the start of 2021, fans were shocked to read a statement posted to Becca’s socials alerting them to the closure of the brand.
It read, “At BECCA, an accumulation of challenges…has sadly been more than our business can withstand, and we have had to make the heartbreaking decision to close down the BECCA brand at the end of September 2021.” After that date, all products were removed from sale in stores and online.
59. Fresh Acquisitions
Year Established: 1946
Store Closures: All locations
Fresh Acquisitions owns six restaurant chains including Ryan’s, Old Country Buffet, HomeTown Buffet, Fire Mountain, and Furr’s. At the height of its success, it had multiple locations across 27 states, but in the middle of 2021 Fresh announced it was filing for bankruptcy.
Tahoe Joe’s will be one of the company’s only remaining brands when all other businesses are closed, while Furr’s will be getting somewhat of an image revamp and fewer locations. The company expressed a desire to emerge from bankruptcy in a much stronger position.
60. Aldi
Year Established: 1946
Store Closures: TBD*
Aldi became famous as a European grocery store before becoming a popular US brand in recent years. That being said, even Aldi faced tough times during 2020. However, unlike some other stores, Aldi managed to emerge from the crisis relatively unscathed.
Despite a handful of temporary closures, Aldi has managed to come out on top. It’s one of few retailers looking to increase its presence in the US, opening 100 stores over the next period. There’s no denying that Aldi is the exception to an otherwise disastrous time in retail history.
61. GameStop
Year Established: 1984
Store Closures: 180-200 Branches*
GameStop has long been a hub for gamers of all ages to pick up the newest console on the market or trade in old games for cash. Recently, however, they’ve fallen on hard times. Like many other brick and mortar retailers, GameStop is hurting from the rise of e-commerce, and the ways that gaming has changed over the years.
Now, instead of rushing to the store to get the next big game, most devices allow you to download games off the internet, purchasing them from online app stores instead of in person. Though GameStop did manage to turn a fourth-quarter profit recently, the brand is struggling to keep its head above water, despite a flash-pan news story about a stock market short squeeze inspired by a legion of Reddit users.
62. Levi Strauss
Year Established: 1853
Store Closures: Unknown
Back in March, Levi made the difficult decision to shutter all of its US and Canada locations in order to ride out what everyone hoped was the worst part of the pandemic. While most locations opened again, the retailer is still feeling the effects that could impact its operations in 2022.
Levi laid off 15% of its corporate workforce (equating to around 700 employees) in order to try and level out the damage. It hasn’t been a good financial year for the 170-year-old brand, but as it’s so well-established it has a better fighting chance at recovery than many others.
63. Bose
Year Established: 1964
Store Closures: 119 Branches*
The tech outlet Bose announced that it would be shifting to online shopping, as that is where the company believes the future of retail lies (they do have a point). Bose is shrinking its retail store count dramatically, closing down 119 stores in Japan, North America, Australia, and Europe. The company said its actions were the result of the “dramatic shift” from in-person shopping to digital.
Bose made this announcement in mid-January of 2020 by sending a press release to CNN Business, Business Insider, Fox Business, and all the other major media outlets. China won’t see a big change, though—130 stores will remain open there.
64. Burgerim
Year Established: 2011
Store Closures: TBD*
Burgerim was thriving in 2018, with locations and franchises popping up in many different states. It looked like it was a brand on the rise, but the fairytale soon took a turn for the worse. Trouble started brewing in the form of legal issues just in 2019 which has heavily impacted the company.
Now, restaurants are continuously closing leading to a rapid decline in their physical presence. While the company isn’t strictly going under, it is trying to recoup on steadier ground after refunding more than $57 million in franchise fees.
65. Goop Lab
Year Established: Store opened in 2019
Store Closures: 1*
Gwyneth Paltrow is just as famous for her lifestyle brand Goop as she is for her acting pursuits these days. Goop as a brand has been around for several years, but in 2019 Paltrow opened up a flagship store called Goop Labs in Pacific Heights, San Francisco.
Paltrow’s store didn’t exactly become a huge hit with locals and closure was announced in July of 2020. There are still five Goop Labs in operation, but it’s likely that more stores will close in the coming years as the brand continues to grow its online presence.
66. L’Occitane
Year Established: 1976
Store Closures: 23*
Like many other retailers, L’Occitane has been in the industry for a long time, weathering many storms over the decades. That doesn’t mean they aren’t always looking to switch up their strategy and save money, though.
CEO Mr. Reinold Geiger explained according to Retail in Asia, “After a solid FY2021, we are pleased to see our growth trajectory continue into FY2022. Importantly, even as stores reopen globally, the shift in our channel mix towards online has remained intact, demonstrating the success of our omni-channel distribution.”
67. Marks & Spencer
Year Established: 1884
Store Closures: 30*
While Marks and Spencer don’t have an enormous American presence, it’s one of the oldest retailers in the UK. In mid-2021, it was announced that the giant would be closing around 30 of its stores after announcing a huge loss of over $200 million.
While some of the stores have shuttered already, others still have yet to close their doors and will be cleared out at the tail end of 2021 and early 2022. Brits are sad to see these locations go and hope more stores will reopen in the future.
68. Fossil
Year Established: 1984
Store Closures: 65 to 75*
Fossil has had a strong retail presence since opening its doors in 1984, but the last period has been particularly tough on the watch and handbag retailer. The company lost $96 million throughout 2020, meaning it had no choice but to look at cutting costs.
The result was the announcement of store closures of around 75 stores across 2021 and 2022. Fossil simply chose not to renew the lease on several stores, but more could be shuttering as the years tick by if the company can’t get back on steady ground.
69. Alamo Drafthouse
Year Established: 1997
Store Closures: 3*
Alamo Drafthouse may not be the biggest cinema brand out there, but it’s loved by locals who happen to have one in their area. In 2021, the company filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy and announced plans to close three locations for good.
Alamo Drafthouse Ritz in Austin, Missouri, and Texas will be closing for good, but at the time of writing in fall 2021, not all of them have closed. These spots could likely be closed for good in 2022 unless a small miracle happens in the meantime.
70. Global Brands Group
Year Established: 2013
Store Closures: TBD*
Global Brands Group is still a baby company compared to some other ones in the fashion sector. Founded in 2013, the retailer sells clothing and accessories from brands like Fiorelli, Lego, Disney, and much more. Sadly, the business filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy at the end of July 2021.
It’s only natural that this will most likely lead to store closures toward the end of the year and moving into 2022, but it remains to be seen just how many locations will close their doors. Minimizing outgoings is of premium importance.
71. Palmer House Hilton, Chicago
Year Established: 1871
Store Closures: 1*
Hilton as a company owns many hotels, but there are some that are more ingrained in the public consciousness than others. Palmer House Hilton in Chicago first welcomed guests way back in 1871, but it’s been on rocky territory in recent times.
A plummet in its value and a tough blow to the hospitality industry meant that the hotel closed in March 2020, staying closed for over a year until it reopened in 2021. It is currently taking bookings, but pundits are less than convinced about the longevity of the hotel’s operations.
72. Paper Source
Year Established: 1983
Store Closures: TBD (Filed Bankruptcy)
Paper Source, as you might have guessed from the name, is a one-stop-shop for custom invitations, paper goods, and greeting cards. The company announced in March of 2021 that it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Sales had plummeted because of the events of 2020, and Paper Source wanted to be sure it was protected while it restructured.
As with a lot of businesses, that restructuring likely means store closures. Stock market watchers were surprised at Paper Source’s announcement, as the store had been expanding as recently as early 2020. It even bought some chains from Papyrus, its liquidating rival, before announcing the sharp reversal in fortune.
73. Goodwill
Year Established: 1902
Store Closures: 8 Branches*
Goodwill is a discount store for pretty much everything you can think of, from furniture to clothing to random items. It’s a shame that the chain has had to close several branches in certain areas, as low-income people rely on Goodwill for affordable items.
Goodwill announced in March of 2021 that it would be closing eight of its thrift stores in the Bay Area. Mike Keenan, the president of Goodwill in that area, said that the decision was “difficult” but necessary for “economic reasons.” Specifically, the Goodwill closures will take place in Vallejo, Dixon, Berkeley, Albany, Oakland (Durant Square), Livermore, Dublin, and Oakley.
74. Justice
Year Established: 1987
Store Closures: TBD (1,600 Total from Ascena)
Ascena Group, the owner of Justice, a tween clothing store, filed for bankruptcy in 2020, and that filing has had lasting effects that are likely to continue into 2022. Justice is going the same way as Lane Bryant, LOFT, and Ann Taylor, its sister companies.
Ascena announced that it was planning to shut down 1,600 of its 2,800 stores. Justice makes up 826 stores in the Ascena brand, and it remains to be seen what selection of the 1,600 closures will be comprised of the tween-oriented store, which was once called Limited Too. Justice’s liquidation sales have been going well, as customers have quickly bought items that have been marked down by 50%. Though sales have plummeted for the brand, Justice shoppers are giving it at least some boost in revenue.
75. 24 Hour Fitness
Year Established: 1983
Store Closures: 130 Branches*
24 Hour Fitness has been a popular gym location since the chain was founded in the 1980s. The company has been through some intense restructuring that has continued through 2021 and is likely to continue through 2022. According to 24 Hour Fitness, it would be shutting down 130 branches progressively, leaving around 300 locations left.
The brand filed for Chapter 11 in June of 2020, blaming hardship from the events of that year. Things have been looking up for the company since December of 2020, though they’re not out of the woods yet. 24 Hour Fitness had been struggling financially before 2020 hit, and things just went downhill from there, leading to the bankruptcy filing.
76. Lane Bryant
Year Established: 1904
Store Closures: 150 Branches*
Lane Bryant has been an outlet for plus-size fashion for decades. Unfortunately for fans of the brand, around 150 Lane Bryants, including 52 outlet stores, are closing as part of the Ascena Group’s bankruptcy. Ascena Group’s financial struggles hit some of the nation’s most popular clothing stores hard, and Lane Bryant was one of them.
Lane Bryant has nearly 700 retail and outlet stores and, in 2019, the brand had $919 million in fiscal sales. Those dropped the next year, leading to Ascena’s decision to close 150 branches. Catherines, a similar plus-size retailer, is closing all of its 300+ stores, though it is expected to reopen as an online-only venue.
77. Cricket Wireless
Year Established: 1999
Store Closures: 111 Branches*
Cricket Wireless is a wireless service provider that AT&T owns. It has about ten million subscribers in the United States. In terms of stores that AT&T actually owns and operates, there were 111. The rest are franchises, and those compose about 4,400 stores.
AT&T made the decision to close its Cricket Wireless stores after 2020. According to the phone giant, Cricket made up a “small portion” of AT&T’s “overall portfolio.” The other thousands of Cricket stores will remain in operation and run by “authorized retailers.” According to AT&T, “changes in buying behavior” were mainly to blame for the closure decision.
78. Earth Fare
Year Established: 1975
Store Closures: 20 Branches*
Earth Fare is a wellness and health supermarket that was founded in the mid-seventies. The company ceased operations in February of 2020 (well before many companies had to close down that year), and it announced that it was going to close down all of its stores.
There are still twenty left in eight states. Though some fans of the organic food chain were hoping that Earth Fare wouldn’t go out of business, those hopes will, sadly, be dashed. Earth Fare is still in the process of liquidating its inventory. In February of 2020, it was the third grocer that month to either shut down or seek a sale under Chapter 11.
79. Loft
Year Established: 1998
Store Closures: 30 Branches*
Ann Taylor LOFT is part of the Ann Taylor brand which is, in turn, part of the Ascena Group, which has met quite a hard end as of 2021. LOFT was yet another victim of Ascena’s bankruptcy filing, and the parent company announced that thirty of LOFT’s 666 outlets and stores would be shutting down.
This announcement came along with the decision that 38 of Ann Taylor’s 290+ locations would shut down as well. These closures were, once again, part of the 1,200-store shut down that Ascena agreed to in order to keep the company from completely going under.
80. L’Occitane
Year Established: 1976
Store Closures: 23 Branches*
L’Occitane is a high-end lotion and bath product chain. The brand just seems expensive, and it’s perfect for a luxury gift (or a present to yourself). Unfortunately, fans of L’Occitane might have to take their business to L’Occitane’s online store, as the brand filed for bankruptcy in 2021.
L’Occitane announced in the filing that it was planning to close twenty-three of its 166 American stores. The move was made in an attempt to finalize its “store footprint optimization plan,” which is a way to streamline its revenue. The closures came on the heels of a sales drop of 56.5% between April of 2020 and December of 2020. Online sales for the brand, by contrast, rose 72%.
81. Microsoft
Year Established: 1975
Store Closures: 83 Branches*
If you’ve been following tech headlines, then you already know about Microsoft’s decision to close all of its eighty-three in-person stores. For a long time, tech bloggers and commentators have pointed out that Microsoft just isn’t able to compete with Apple when it comes to the in-store game.
Microsoft apparently agrees, and the tech giant decided to cut its losses after 2020 and shut down all of its stores. The only exceptions will be four stores, which will be revamped and, according to Microsoft, “reimagined.” Instead of actual stores, these four locations will become “experience centers” to demonstrate new technology.
82. Muji
Year Established: 1980
Store Closures: 7 Branches*
Muji was founded in 1980, and it is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. There’s a good chance that, if you don’t live in California, you haven’t heard of Muji. When Muji came to the States, it headed to California first to try its luck. Unfortunately, the brand didn’t survive there.
Muji USA Ltd. announced in July of 2020 that it would be closing all of its seven locations permanently. It declared bankruptcy under Chapter 11, and it announced that it needed to do some serious restructuring, meaning that the in-person stores would have to be the first to go. The Japan-themed store closures are slated for L.A., Santa Anita, San Jose, Stanford, San Francisco, and Santa Monica.
83. Rent The Runway
Year Established: 2009
Store Closures: 5 Branches*
Rent the Runway is yet another clothing store that found it was more profitable to focus on its online business than its foot traffic. In August of 2020, the subscription-based startup announced that it would be shutting down its stores in Washington D.C., San Francisco, Chicago, L.A., and New York City.
Rent the Runway, which was founded more than a decade ago, said it wouldn’t reopen any of the five stores, but would instead focus on its online investments and drop-box network. The NYC store would be converted into a drop-off site, where customers could drop off items when they were done renting them.
84. Kay Jewelers
Year Established: 1916
Store Closures: 400 Branches (Total from Signet)*
Like a lot of stores on this list, Kay Jewelers is a victim of its parent company’s financial decisions. Signet Jewelers operates nearly 3,200 stores globally under the Kay Jewelers, Jared, Piercing Pagoda, and Zales brands. Signet announced that it was planning to shut down 150 of its stores by the end of 2021.
This came on the heels of an announcement that it would be closing 400 stores in June of 2020. Kay Jewelers is the largest retailer in the world when it comes to diamond jewelry, and the announcement that it wouldn’t reopen a lot of its stores after 2020 came as a shock to the high-end jewelry world.
85. Compass Airlines
Year Established: 2006
Store Closures: N/A (Entire Airline Shut Down)
When you talk about Compass Airlines, you have to do so in the past tense, as the regional airline is no longer open. Compass was part of Delta (previously Northwest Airlines), and it launched in 2006. Compass operated more than 1.5 million passenger flights during its fourteen years in business, and it had over 2,000 employees.
In 2020, Compass ended its operations. It cited reduced travel demands because of the events of that year. Compass also blamed Delta for its fate, stating that Delta hadn’t secured additional flying for its subsidiary. One week after the announcement, Compass’ 56 planes were out of commission.
86. Stobart Air
Year Established: 1970
Store Closures: N/A (Entire Airline Shut Down)
Named Aer Arann in 1970, Stobart Air had a five-decade run before it ceased operations on June 12, 2021. Stobart was a regional airline that was headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, and its bases of operation were in Belfast, Dublin, and Cork. The Irish airline had a fleet size of thirteen, which services twenty destinations.
Stobart went through a huge restructuring in 2014, which led to it becoming “Stobart” and shedding the Aer Arann name. Stobart had a tumultuous seven years after that before announcing that it was terminating its franchise agreement with Aer Lingus. Shortly after, all of its flights were canceled and the tickets, we hope, were refunded.
87. Kroger
Year Established: 1883
Store Closures: 7 Branches*
Kroger actually did quite well during 2020, earning record profits of $2.5 billion with sales numbers reaching $132 million. Its store sales were 8%, which was a remarkable number for an industry where a 2% sales number is considered very strong. Though Kroger had a windfall in 2020, it still announced in 2021 that it would be shutting down seven stores.
Kroger announced that its decision was based on the stores’ performance. Kroger wasn’t able to cover expenses in the stores, so it laid-off workers. These lay-offs came without hazard pay, as Kroger strongly opposed hazard pay mandates, something that has landed the chain in hot water with its former employees.
88. California Pizza Kitchen
Year Established: 1985
Store Closures: 46 Branches*
California Pizza Kitchen, a popular restaurant chain that was founded in California but has spread across the country, had a rough fall in 2020, and the effects are carrying over into 2021 and could continue into 2022. In the fall of 2020, California Pizza Kitchen declared bankruptcy.
It announced that it would be progressively shutting down forty-six of its restaurants, which were not “suitable for off-premises.” The bankruptcy deal, filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, was finalized in November of 2020, and CPK wiped out $220 million in debt and negotiated $67 million in rent savings through the next four years.
89. Sur La Table
Year Established: 1972
Store Closures: 51 Branches*
Sur La Table is a privately-owned retail company founded in 1972 in Seattle. It has 130 locations, but not all of those venues are going to remain open. Throughout 2020 and 2021, the kitchen appliance retailer has liquidated a lot of its stores, with more planned for closure throughout the end of the year.
Sur La Table filed for Chapter 11 in July of 2020, and it has since announced that it will close fifty-one of its stores, representing nearly a one-third decrease. The closures will take place over time, with liquidation sales taking place at the locations selected for shut-down.
90. Mango Airlines
Year Established: 2006
Store Closures: TBD (Currently Grounded)
This one is still up in the air. Mango Airlines is a regional airline with a hub at O.R. Tambo International. The South African airline’s parent company is South African Airways, and it is headquartered in Gauteng. Mango launched in 2006, and its financial future is now shaky, thanks to South African Airways’ economic state.
The low-cost airline has around 750 employees and two fleets. In late April of 2021, Mango was grounded because it didn’t pay its debts to the Airports Company to South Africa. No Mango airliners are able to take off until a resolution is reached. Likely, the only way out for Mango is a bailout if the South African government can grant South African Airways money.
91. Ruby Tuesday
Year Established: 1972
Store Closures: 185 Branches*
Ruby Tuesday, a restaurant chain serving fast-casual American food, has been shrinking lately. It is continuing to close a total of 185 of its chains. The restaurant filed for Chapter 11 in October of 2020, and its fate is a little less shaky, but still up in the air.
The bankruptcy filing was designed to cut its debts, and Ruby Tuesday said it and its secured lenders had “reached an understanding…to support…restructuring.” Ruby Tuesday has 236 company-owned locations left, in addition to an unlisted amount of locations, which are run by ten different franchisee groups. Ruby Tuesday said that, other than the 185 closures, it “does not anticipate” more will happen.
92. Applebee’s
Year Established: 1980
Store Closures: 15 Branches*
Speaking of American fast-casual dining, Applebee’s is yet another restaurant chain to feel the effects of 2020. Applebee’s has been around for several decades, and it seems like it’s hard to find a neighborhood without the chain. However, some neighborhoods might find that they’re lacking an Applebee’s, as the brand said it would be closing an additional fifteen stores in the final quarter of 2020.
These fifteen were tacked onto the additional twenty that the chain closed the quarter before, bringing the total number of closures to 100. Overall, Applebee’s has a plan to close two hundred underperforming locations, but the rest of the closures are TBD.
93. Steak N Shake
Year Established: 1934
Store Closures: 83 Branches*
Steak’n Shake has often been people’s first choice for a milkshake and a burger, but the chain recently closed 13% of its restaurants. Steak’n Shake started 2020 with 610 restaurants, and it shut down eight-three of them.
As of March of 2021, Steak’n Shake announced that it was debt-free after the company narrowly avoided bankruptcy, thanks to an angel buyer. The restaurant chain had $153 million in debt, which was paid off by Biglari Holdings, meaning that Steak’n Shake didn’t have to file for Chapter 11. Funds from the 83 locations the chain sold went to implement a totally new service model, developed by Biglari.
94. SEE Eyewear
Year Established: 1997
Store Closures: Unknown
As Forbes put it, eyewear retail is almost at an “extinction” event. This headline came in 2019, before the events of 2020 ever took place. Eyewear retail was already on the decline, and stores like SEE Eyewear were among the hardest hit by these changes.
Though the exact amount of closures is unknown for now, it’s likely that the eyewear retail industry will continue to be hit by hard times, especially through 2022. SEE Eyewear has been around since the late nineties, and it has yet to be bought out by major companies like Luxxotica, which reportedly owns eighty percent of the eyewear industry.
95. Club Monaco
Year Established: 1985
Store Closures: 1 Branch* (Flagship)
After Ralph Lauren sold Club Monaco, news came that the store would be closing its doors on its flagship venue in Toronto, Canada. The two-level store has been around since the eighties, and fans and shoppers alike were stunned to hear it would be closing.
Luckily, the beautiful twentieth-century building won’t be demolished. Club Monaco will just be moving out. Though the store tried to host pop-ups and even considered putting a restaurant in the flagship, it wasn’t enough to drive foot traffic. Those issues, combined with the high cost of rent (nearly $362,000 a year), caused Club Monaco to close.
96. Piggly Wiggly
Year Established: 1916
Store Closures: Unknown
Piggly Wiggly opened its doors over a century ago, and it was considered cutting-edge at the time because it was the first self-service supermarket. Piggly Wiggly helped revolutionize the grocery shopping industry. Though the chain still has 530 locations, it has been closing stores left and right.
It closed two stores, one in Alabama and one in North Carolina, in the span of a month. The reasons behind the closures had to do with labor shortages, something that is affecting pretty much every aspect of the food industry. Though the exact number of Piggly Wiggly closures remains unknown for now, if the store continues on its current trajectory, you can expect more closings to come.
97. Long John Silver’s
Year Established: 1969
Store Closures: 1 Branch*
John Silver’s, which was once one of the most popular fast-casual restaurant chains in America, has gone through some rough times in the past five years. The restaurant has closed an average of sixty restaurants per year, and the brand has been burdened with having to buy back troubled franchises.
By 2019, Long John Silver’s began to turn it around, though it is not out of the woods yet. The events of 2020 have caused it to continue to close stores, including one in Joliet. The struggling chain appointed a new CEO, who is likely to make changes in 2022. These changes are geared towards simplifying the business, which could mean more closures.
98. Boston Market
Year Established: 1985
Store Closures: 45 Branches*
Boston Market is no stranger to having to close large chunks of its stores. The restaurant chain first filed for bankruptcy in 1998, and it had to close 400 of its locations because of the filing. Since then, the restaurant chain’s footprint has shrunk yearly.
It announced in 2019 that it would be phasing out 45 locations. This means there are 330 Boston Market locations left. The franchise has been struggling long before 2020. The issues in the nineties were caused by overexpansion, but the financial problems now are more complicated. At one point, Boston Market had 1,200 locations. Now, it has a fraction of that number.
99. Brio Italian Mediterranean
Year Established: 1992
Store Closures: 71 Branches*
Brio Italian Mediterranean is a fast-casual dining chain that specializes in Italian- and Mediterranean-style food. The parent company of Brio and its sister chain, Bravo, filed for Chapter 11 protection in 2020, and things have been rocky ever since.
The plan is to close 71 out of the current 92 restaurants. The closures were listed as temporary, though it’s possible the chain won’t reopen all of the closed stores. In the filing, Brio asked for a buyer for its chain, and it got one. Earl Enterprises, the same company that owns Buca di Beppo, Planet Hollywood, and Earl of Sandwich, bought the chain in June of 2020.
100. Save A Lot
Year Established: 1977
Store Closures: 300 Branches* (Selling Them)
Save A Lot has been closing down stores left and right. In January of 2021, it sold off fifty-one of its stores, and, nine months later, it sold off another thirty-two. The Ohio-based retailer has closed much of its stores in the South, particularly in the Tampa, Florida area, in order to cut debt.
Part of the reason that Save A Lot is shedding branches is because of its new model. The grocer is transitioning to a wholesale store, and it will be selling more than 300 of its branches to retailers. This transition will allow Save A Lot to fix its precarious financial situation, and it’s already making strides. In April of 2021, the chain announced that it had cut half a billion dollars in debt so far.
101. Friendly’s
Year Established: 1935
Store Closures: Unknown
We’ll have to see how many Friendly’s restaurants close in the upcoming year. In November of 2020, Friendly’s declared bankruptcy, but the problems the franchise experienced go back several years before that. For example, in 2019, Friendly’s closed down most of its locations in New England and upstate New York.
Later that year, there were more closures. After the pressures of 2020, the restaurant continued to struggle until it filed for Chapter 11 protection. Red Mango bought Amici Partners Group, the same entity that owns Red Mango, for under $2 million. It remains to be seen how many Friendly’s the Amici Group will close to help relieve the family restaurant chain’s financial woes.
102. Fuddruckers
Year Established: 1979
Store Closures: 49 Branches* (Possibly)
June of 2022 is the finalization date for the liquidation of Fuddruckers’ parent company, Luby’s Inc. Fuddruckers fans can enjoy the chain’s “World’s Greatest Hamburgers” until then. To those who have been reading the restaurant world headlines, this won’t come as a surprise, as Fuddruckers has been struggling for quite some time.
The cafeteria-style chain announced in September of 2020 that it was going to be liquidated as part of Luby’s shutdown. In the summer of 2021, Black Titan Franchise announced that it would buy the chain for $18.5 million, so there is a chance that some of the franchise-owned Fuddruckers will stay open, if not the company-owned chains. We’ll have to see.
103. Le Pain Quotidien
Year Established: 1990
Store Closures: 46 Branches*
Le Pain Quotidien closed down all ninety-eight of its U.S. locations in March of 2020. Shortly thereafter, it filed for Chapter 11 in May of that year. However, the chain had planned that filing since well before the events of 2020, according to court filings.
Le Pain Quotidien will be reopening a little over half of its restaurants, thanks to its new parent company, Aurify. Aurify, a New York food brand, operates Five Guys, Melt Shop, and Fields Good Chicken, among others. Autify bought the struggling LPQ for $3 million, and it will reopen profitable locations, streamlining the business to make it work more effectively.
104. Stop & Shop
Year Established: 1914
Store Closures: 19 Branches* (In-Store Pharmacies)
There have been a few closures of actual Stop & Shops in the past two years, but the part of the business that has been hit hardest is the in-store pharmacies. The in-store pharmacies of Stop & Shop have been one of the chain’s best-liked features, offering prescription drugs for reasonable prices.
In September of 2021, the chain announced that it would be closing nineteen of its in-store pharmacies. According to Caroline Medeiros, Stop & Shop’s spokeswoman, “steadily declining reimbursements” of prescriptions by third-party and government payors are to blame. Medeiros said that this “decline” has impacted retail pharmacies across America. Still, Stop & Shop will continue to operate two-hundred pharmacies in the Northeast.
105. Perkins
Year Established: 1958
Store Closures: 29 Branches*
Much like Friendly’s, Perkins is a family dining chain that has been beloved by its fans. Though Perkins has gotten the reputation as a neighborhood restaurant, it has had its struggles. There are twenty-nine Perkins closing for sure, many of which have already shuttered their doors.
The company that owns Perkins and Marie Callender filed for Chapter 11 in 2019. It has over 400 restaurants in Canada and North America. Apparently, the financial woes of Perkins’ parent company were caused by fewer customers and the rising costs of labor and food. The events of 2020 didn’t help the already-struggling chain, so it’s possible Perkins will have to close more branches.
106. P.F. Chang’s
Year Established: 1993
Store Closures: Unknown
P.F. Chang’s has closed its restaurants in Chicago, but there is a twist to these closures that might continue in other locations. The Asian-inspired restaurant chain opened its first-ever “to go” kiosks in Chicago in January of 2020, opening two in place of actual dine-in locations.
Brand development Vice President Tana Davila said that the chain was “excited” to try this new offering. The to-go P.F. Chang restaurants have a “curated” menu, which means that only the most popular items are available. It is focused on catering, takeout, and delivery. If more P.F. Changs close in the future, it’s possible to-go restaurants will take their place.
107. Red Robin
Year Established: 1969
Store Closures: 5 Branches*
Red Robin, a popular fast-casual burger chain, has had a tough couple of years. The chain closed down five locations permanently. Though it had closed several dozen temporarily in 2020, these five didn’t reopen, and the closures caused Red Robin to lose $6.5 million.
The locations weren’t profitable anymore. Red Robin tried to save its branches from closure by offering curbside pickup and expanding outdoor seating. It even stopped paying the full amount of rent for its HQ. But, these changes weren’t enough to stave off the closures, and the five locations have been shut down for good.
108. Subway
Year Established: 1965
Store Closures: Unknown
Rumors have often circulated that Subway is going out of business. These rumors are untrue, and the sandwich chain remains one of the most popular fast-food joints in the world. What is true is that Subway is closing restaurants and experiencing a unit-count decline.
Subway closed ten percent of its stores in 2020. In 2019, it closed 1,000 locations and saw its sales drop $210 million. Three years before that, Subway closed 359 stores. The steady decline has been well-documented. The problem is that Subway is experiencing declining sales and has too many locations. The fix is to close chains, and this trend of closures will continue in 2022, though the exact count is unknown for now.
109. Giant Eagle
Year Established: 1931
Store Closures: 1 Branch*
Giant Eagle has been a beloved destination for grocery shoppers everywhere for years. The chain opened its first store in the 1930s, and it has over four hundred stores in the U.S. now. Giant Eagle has closed down a few stores here and there, most recently tapping the Lewis Center, Ohio store for closure.
The grocery chain said that the Lewis Center chain had “unique challenges” when it came to its “store layout,” though the closures don’t seem all that novel. Giant Eagle also closed down the sit-down restaurant in its Bexley, Ohio branch, blaming that closure on “significant shifts” in consumer “interests.”
110. Sweet Tomatoes
Year Established: 1978
Store Closures: 97 Branches*
Sweet Tomatoes and Souplantation are two sister chains that have experienced a lot of turmoil in the past couple of years. Sweet Tomatoes announced in May of 2020 that it was going to permanently close all of its restaurant locations in America. Across the U.S., there are ninety-seven Sweet Tomatoes locations, and forty-four of those are in California alone.
In May of 2020, Souplantation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which was the likely precursor to the closures. Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes are both owned by Garden Fresh Restaurants, which brings in $250 million in revenue a year. It remains to be seen how many Sweet Tomatoes restaurants will reopen in 2022.
111. Taco Bell
Year Established: 1962
Store Closures: 1 Branch*
There have always been rumors about Taco Bell going out of business, but the fact is that Taco Bell probably isn’t going anywhere. Though Taco Bell has closed half a dozen restaurants since 2020, it isn’t experiencing mass closures.
Though the closures aren’t a huge deal, there are still some locations that will be sorely missed by customers. One is the Laguna Beach Taco Bell, which Eat This described as an “iconic location.” In September of 2021, this Taco Bell was shuttered forever, much to fans’ dismay. It had been in business for fifty-four years, making it Orange County’s longest-lasting Taco Bell.
112. TGI Fridays
Year Established: 1965
Store Closures: 20%*
TGI Friday’s is another fast-casual chain that has gotten a reputation for itself as a family-friendly establishment. TGI Friday’s is considered somewhat of a neighborhood restaurant, much like Friendly’s and Perkins. Sadly, it’s going the same way as Friendly’s and Perkins.
In February of 2021, TGI Friday’s announced that it was going to close 20% of all of its American restaurants permanently. The closures came on the heels of a tough 2020. The restaurant chain’s CEO explained that they wanted to save “as many jobs” and “businesses as possible” around the world, but it wasn’t going to be possible for all of the company to survive.
113. Cosi
Year Established: 1964
Store Closures: 30 Branches*
Cosi, a sandwich and coffee chain, has found it hard to compete against Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks. The chain has struggled to survive, filing for bankruptcy twice in five years as it searches for a reliable, long-lasting buyer. So far, thirty stores have closed, with likely more to come.
Cosi has twenty locations as of November of 2020, and that dwindling amount might not last. Cosi said that it wants to focus on its catering business as much as possible, something that could require shutting down in-person and dine-in venues that are still remaining after the last Chapter 11 filing.
114. Chuck E. Cheese
Year Established: 1977
Store Closures: 10-20 Branches*
Parents might be relieved to hear this, but kids certainly won’t be. Chuck E. Cheese is a popular kid’s restaurant because it comes with games and mascots. Despite its popularity among kids, the chain has a huge debt load of $1 billion.
In the 1990s, Chuck E. Cheese was everywhere. The debt began amassing in the early 2000s, and the chain was already struggling by the time that the pandemic hit. There are ten to twenty locations in states like California, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Iowa, and more that are closing and/or seeking renegotiation of their lease agreement. The kids’ restaurant chain officially declared bankruptcy in June of 2020.
115. Maison Kayser
Year Established: 1996
Store Closures: 16 Branches*
The fate of Maison Kayser, a bakery chain with dozens of restaurants in New York (sixteen in New York City alone), is still up in the air. Many of the French bakeries were purchased by Le Pain Quotidien, once the chain’s biggest competitor, after Maison Kayser declared bankruptcy in the fall of 2020.
In July of 2020, headlines ran that said that the bakery chain might close down sixteen of its New York City locations. The French bakery later said that the “hurdles” of 2020 were “too great to overcome” in the end, leading to its sale to Le Pain Quotidien.
116. Shoprite
Year Established: 1946
Store Closures: 2 Branches*
ShopRite has 321 locations in six states, including Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Connecticut. The grocery chain is more of a retailers’ cooperative, and Shoprite has been a go-to for supermarket shoppers since it was founded in the 1940s.
ShopRite has had to periodically close a few locations over the years, knocking down its unit number by a few pegs. The two most recent closures of the fall of 2021 were in Hudson Valley and Tallman. The Hudson Valley closure hit the community hard, as the Shoprite there had been in business for forty-three years before deciding to shut its doors.
117. Sizzler
Year Established: 1958
Store Closures: 6 Branches*
Sizzler, a Los Angeles restaurant chain, declared bankruptcy in the fall of 2020. The brand was having trouble dealing with the catastrophic impact that the events of 2020 had on businesses, and it was forced to file for bankruptcy protection as a result.
The filing led to six Sizzlers being permanently closed, even after many states gave the green light to reopen restaurants. In Australia, Sizzler has closed nineteen restaurants since 2015. Sizzlers’ demise can be blamed on 2020 and slow sales, but Sizzler has been through quite a few ups and downs, from bankruptcy to brand takeovers, in its decades-long history.
118. Dave & Buster’s
Year Established: 1982
Store Closures: Unknown
Dave & Busters, a restaurant and gaming chain, has suffered a major decline since 2020. In the fourth quarter of that year alone, the chain saw a 75% decline in sales. Many of its units remain closed, and there’s no telling if (and how many of) those chains will be reopened.
Brian Jenkins, the CEO of Dave & Busters, acknowledged that there has been a “setback,” even though, briefly, the chain appeared to be recovering from 2020. The total loss of revenue reached $22 million during one fiscal quarter, and it doesn’t appear that the “eatertainment” venue is out of the woods yet.
119. Barnes & Noble
Years Established: 1886
Store Closures: Unknown
While the events of 2020 briefly sparked a book craze, as more and more people were stuck inside and needed something to do while they waited, Barnes and Noble has still had to do some rearranging, as far as its stores go.
Though the bookseller plans to open twelve new stores in 2021and 2022, it also will be closing “some” of its outlets, according to The New York Post. The exact number is unknown for now, but readers everywhere are no doubt hoping that the beloved bookseller won’t close in their area. Barnes and Noble has managed to outlast other retailers like Borders, and let’s hope that it’s next chapter is not its last.
120. Family Dollar
Years Established: 1959
Store Closures: 390 Branches*
Family Dollar is a discount chain that is popular in neighborhoods across America. When it was founded in the late 1950s, it seemed that all it did was expand and grow, as it was a low-cost, easily-accessible place to get clothes, food, home goods, and more. However, it appears that the tide may have turned for Family Dollar.
It announced that it would be closing down 390 of its stores, surprising people who thought that the chain was invincible. There’s no need to worry yet, as Family Dollar still has more than eight thousand locations in the United States, a figure that makes the 390 number seem less ominous.
121. New York & Company
Years Established: 1918
Store Closures: 500 Branches*
New York & Company is yet another victim of what has been known as the “Retail Apocalypse,” a term that no doubt refers to the fact that retail outlets across America have been forced to shut their doors as economic conditions worsen and rent prices increase.
In 2020, New York & Company’s parent company, RTW Retailwinds, declared bankruptcy. The chain blamed the events of 2020 for the closures and said that it would shutter “a significant portion, if not all” of its brick-and-mortar locations, leaving only the online portion of the business open. NY & Co. was bought out in late 2020, but what effect on its fate that will have is, as of yet, unknown.
122. Olympia Sports
Years Established: 1975
Store Closures: 76 Branches*
Olympia Sports was founded in Portland, Maine in the mid-1970s. It is a sporting goods and retail store, and it has 152 locations, currently. The majority of these locations are located in New York, New England, and the Mid-Atlantic, so it makes sense that this region will be the hardest hit by Olympia Sports’ closures.
The retailer was sold to JackRabbit, another sporting goods company, in late 2019, and it announced that, over the next few years, it would shutter seventy-six of its stores. Upstate New York would see over twenty locations closed, with “out of business” sales likely at those locations and others.
123. Destination Maternity
Years Established: 1982
Store Closures: 180-201 Branches*
Destination Maternity is one of the largest retailers of maternity apparel in the world. The motherhood-focused store has been around since the early 1980s, and it sells low-cost, stylish clothes to moms-to-be. Destination Maternity has some of the leading maternity brands, so it came as a shock to fans when the company announced that it was seeking bankruptcy protection in 2019.
Destination Maternity was not a victim of the Retail Apocalypse of 2020, as its financial woes seem to have appeared far before that year. As a result of filing for Chapter 11 protection, the company announced that it would progressively close between 180 and 201 of its stores, including over twenty outlets in California.
124. Lord & Taylor
Years Established: 1826
Store Closures: 38 Branches*
Lord & Taylor was founded in the 1820s in Maine, making it one of the oldest companies in America. So, it’s a shame to see that the store will be closing all of its outlets gradually. Currently, there are around three dozen Lord & Taylor stores still open, but those will be closing, just like the others, in 2022.
Lord & Taylor reopened its stores after forced closures in August of 2020, but the brand began liquidation sales almost immediately. Lord & Taylor filed for Chapter 11, and it announced that it would be closing all of its stores on August 27, 2020. It was bought by Saadia Group for $12 million, and the historic brand will remain open only for online sales.
125. Costco
Years Established: 1983
Store Closures: All photo booth centers
Though Costco stores aren’t experiencing mass closures the way that misleading headlines from 2021 have led people to believe, they announced in February of 2021 that they’d be shutting down all of their in-store photo booth centers. Apparently, the centers weren’t making enough money for Costco to keep them.
However, fans shouldn’t despair or think that Costco’s future is uncertain. The bulk store is opening twenty-five new warehouses in 2022. So, even though these will be booth-less, they’ll still be great places to shop. Costco doesn’t appear to have been hit as hard as other stores from the events of 2020.
126. Air Namibia
Year Established: 1946
Store Closures: All
Air Namibia was an important airline in that part of the world since it was established in 1946. Although it had just nine aircraft by the time 2021 rolled around, the business was fast sinking. In February of the same year, the Namibian government decided to close the airline for good.
Over 600 staff were laid off, which was certainly a blow to the employees. There was simply too much debt to continue. Its outstanding debts were eventually consolidated into repayment installments that will be cleared in 2021.
127. Peloton
Year Established: 2012
Store Closures: 15 branches, possibly*
Peloton was founded in 2012, and it is an exercise equipment company best-known for its stationary bikes and treadmills, both of which are connected to the Internet. Monthly subscribes to Peloton can participate in classes using a streaming media. Peloton has two studios and 123 showrooms.
In mid-January of 2022, The New York Post revealed that the fitness corporation was considering “store closings” and “job cuts” amid “struggles.” The company came under fire last year after several kids were injured by the machines and the Peloton CEO, John Foley, didn’t really respond quickly. The NYC company is considering closing fifteen of its showrooms, and it is also considering cutting jobs within its apparel division.
128. Rite Aid
Year Established: 1962
Store Closures: 63 branches*
Rite Aid, a chain of drugstores and pharmacies that is direct competitor of CVS, announced in late 2021 that, come 2022, it would be closing 63 stores. These closures are part of an ongoing assessment about how many Rite Aid locations “need” to be in the U.S.
According to the store, the closures will “reduce costs,” increase “profitability,” and help maintain a “healthy foundation” for the chain. The exact location closures will be identified as the months go on and Rite Aid’s review finishes. Rite Aid isn’t the only pharmacy chain closing, as CVS also announced it would be shuttering branches in 2022.
129. Chick-Fil-A
Year Established: 1946
Store Closures: N/A
Though the exact number is unknown, a lot of Chick-fil-A franchises have closed down their dining rooms in an effort to “scale back” during the current pandemic. The super-popular fast food chain has been around for decades, and it has a reputation for fantastic customer service (along with great chicken sandwiches and waffle fries).
Locations have faced staffing problems, and, though there haven’t been many store closures, aside from a handful here and there, the dining rooms are more likely than not to be closed at your local Chick-fil-A branches. When the staffing problems resolve and more people go back to work, the chain will likely be able to reopen its dining rooms.
130. Yankee Candle
Year Established: 1969
Store Closures: 1 branch, likely more to come*
Yankee Candle has, over the years, gotten a reputation as a high-end, pricey candle store with a lot of unique, high-quality products. Fans of the Yankee Candle at the Meadowbrook Mall, located in Bridgeport, West Virginia, will be dismayed to know that the candle outlet is closing there.
The news broke on Valentine’s Day of 2022, and Yankee is expected to leave the mall by the end of the month. According to mall officials, this isn’t much of a surprise, as Yankee Candle is closing a lot of its locations nationwide to focus on its online business (though the exact number of closures to come is, as of now, unknown).
131. Kum & Go
Year Established: 1959
Store Closures: 1 branch*
People who don’t live in the Midwest might be a little confused about what exactly Kum & Go is. The convenience store chain opened up shop in the late 1950s, and it operates 400 stores in eleven states. The majority of its stores are located in Iowa, the same state in which it was founded decades ago.
In mid-February of 2022, Kum & Go announced that it was going to close its Drake location. It has two gas stations and one convenience store in the neighborhood, so people in Drake won’t be totally without a Kum & Go. The location closing is the one on 2211 University Ave., and it is expected to shutter its doors within a few weeks, if not sooner.
132. Hallmark
Year Established: 1910
Store Closures: 16 branches*
According to a Hallmark store owner who spoke to the Forest Park Review, owning Hallmark stores isn’t a “viable business any longer,” mainly because people aren’t buying and sending cards the way they used to. Because of the shift to online and digital sales, Hallmark has been closing stores left and right.
It appears to be going the same way as its competitor, Papyrus, which shuttered hundreds of its stores after Schurman Fine Papers, its parent company, filed for bankruptcy in 2020. So far, sixteen branded Hallmark stores are slated to close, according to Facebook posts by owners and local media reports. There could be more in the future.
133. Sears
Year Established: 1893
Store Closures: 10 branches*
At one point, Sears operated over 3,500 locations in America. The department store was an anchor for a lot of shopping malls across the country, and its downturn has come as a surprise, especially after how successful it once was. Sears has a perpetual list of closures, and it recently added another ten to the list.
As of now, only a handful of Sears remain. So, what happened to this once-prominent chain? Apparently, a huge monetary loss of $10.4 billion hit the company between 2011 and 2016. Its debt creeped up higher than its stock valuation, and it was forced to sell assets and fire employees. The failure to change its business from a mall-based store model to something newer was a huge factor behind Sears’ downfall.
134. Whole Foods
Year Established: 1980
Store Closures: 6 branches*
Whole Foods has been a firm favorite among shoppers since 1980, but concerns were raised when the chain was purchased by Amazon in 2017. After all, what the online retailer planned to do with the beloved store was worrying to some.
Amazon certainly has some big plans for the company, so when it was announced in May 2022 that four Whole Foods locations would be shuttering their doors, it did nothing to calm fears. Amazon do plan on expanding in the near future though, so consumers needn’t be worried. According to one of their spokepeople, the closures reflected the performance of the stores.
135. Jet Blue
Year Established: 1998
Store Closures: 27 Route Closures*
In this case, the closures here are of flights, not necessarily “stores.” In late March of 2022, the airline JetBlue announced that it had either eliminated or shut down 27 routes. These routes, most of which fly out from L.A., Fort Lauderdale, and Newark, will not operate between May and October.
The summer shutoff came on the heels of JetBlue’s CEO warning people in 2021 that the airline had “expanded a lot” and, therefore, a lot of routes wouldn’t “stick around.” The closures are not core to the airline, so it is bidding them goodbye in an effort to streamline services.
136. Carrabba’s Italian Grill
Year Established: 1986
Store Closures: 43
At the start of 2020, ten Carrabba’s Italian Grill locations opened in Canada, and the franchise was experiencing success with its international expansion. However, the Italian Grill’s outlook is a little different these days. Similar to Bloomin’ Brands’ other subsidiaries, Carrabba’s Italian Grill could not escape from the global economic crisis of 2020 unscathed.
Not long ago, it was announced that forty-three locations are not expected to bring in 2023 with the rest of the franchise. Craving a goat cheese and sun-dried tomato topped Chicken Bryan? Do yourself a favor and call to see if your local Carrabba’s is still operating before driving over.
137. American Eagle Outfitters
Year Established: 1977
Store Closures: 200-250
By the start of 2021, American Eagle was operating more than 900 locations globally, but not everything was as great as it seemed. Several of the retailers’ locations were underperforming. The solution the board of directors came up with was to cut some of its losses by closing down some stores.
Well, more than some of its stores. According to CFO Mike Mathias, 200-250 American Eagle Outfitters locations will close soon, and the company will redirect attention to another of its brands, Aerie. Most of the stand-alone American Eagle stores will remain open. However, if you’re used to visiting a mall-based shop, you might be seeing some clearance sales soon.
138. Godiva Chocolatier
Year Established: 1926
Store Closures: 128
Godiva Chocolatier has been sweetening palettes for almost a century. At its peak, more than 10,000 specialty shops were selling the Belgian chocolates, not including the 600+ stand-alone Godiva stores in Europe, North America, and Asia. After years of success, in 2021, the chocolatier announced its intention to shutter more than 125 of its North American locations.
The closures are not necessarily a bad thing. Understanding the direction of the retail market, Godiva has adjusted its game plan and begun focusing more on its digital sale and wholesale departments.
139. Five Guys
Year Established: 1986
Store Closures: 27
After years of fast-food giants controlling the market and running the show, in 2003, Five Guys decided it was time to franchise out and see how far its reach could go. With 1,700 worldwide locations and another 1,300 on the way, Five Guys expanded quicker than anyone could have hoped.
The expansion has slowed in recent years. Many of those 1,300 new stores are still yet to open, and there were rumors that Five Guys was preparing to downsize. Burger fans everywhere will be delighted to know that wasn’t the case. Yes, Encore Restaurants LLC purchased a handful of the burger joints, but the 27 franchises have continued operating as Five Guys and serving the same menu as the other 1600+ locations.
140. Nordstrom
Year Established: 1901
Store Closures: 16
Nordstrom has been a top-tier name in the retail industry since the turn of the 20th century, when the first store opened. Nordstrom’s continued expansion seemed inevitable with nearly 500 locations across The United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico by the 2000s. However, as every good business person knows, the market can never be predicted.
By the mid-2010s, the luxury department store had already begun transitioning its business to online sales. As a result, Nordstrom didn’t feel too much financial pressure when it permanently closed sixteen of its retail locations during the retail store massacre of 2020 and have been closed permanently.
141. Stock+Field
Year Established: 1964
Store Closures: 25
Americans had purchased supplies for their agricultural and farming needs from Stock+Field for more than 50 years. When the global economy was faced with trouble in 2020, and the world all but came to a standstill, the company formerly known as ‘Big R’ struggled to keep its head above water.
Entering 2021, Stock+Field found itself with no option but to file for Chapter 11, and all 25 locations were scheduled to be liquidated. Before the going out of business sale entered its final phase, R.P. Lumber purchased the rights to Stock+Field’s remaining assets and rebranded the stores under the name R.P. Home & Harvest.
142. The Cheesecake Factory
Year Established:1972
Store Closures: N/A
During the economic crisis that the world was forced to deal with during 2020/2021, tens of thousands of American businesses closed and never re-opened, including 110,000 restaurants. Although a few of The Cheesecake Factory’s international locations have shuttered their doors, the American locations have (thus far) managed to remain in business.
Unfortunately, you most likely won’t run into Penny from The Big Bang Theory when visiting the Cheesecake Factory
The Cheesecake Factory
143. Bloomingdale’s
Year Established: 1861
Store Closures: 1
Like many other stores, Bloomingdale’s temporarily stopped operations at all of its locations in the spring of 2020. As the year progressed, the luxury American Department store began a gradual re-opening plan. The economic downfall that resulted from the months of closure was not kind to Bloomingdale’s.
As of 2022, although Rachel Green’s favorite clothing store is yet to return to its former glory, the Macy’s subsidiary has re-opened many of its locations. Only one Bloomingdale’s has permanently closed thus far — the location that was formerly located at Santa Monica Place in Santa Monica, California.
144. Sbarro
Year Established: 1956
Store Closures: 300+
Founded in Brooklyn, New York, in 1956, Sbarro has been specializing in ‘New York Style’ pizza for over half a century. At the height of its popularity in the early 2000s, the pizza chain served customers at more than 600 locations, but that number began to dwindle rapidly over the following decade.
With fewer people dining at mall food courts, by 2016, Sbarro had just 318 retail locations remaining. The economic crisis of 2020 forced the closure of dozens more of the pizzerias. Interesting fact: The busiest Sbarro location was located in the World Trade Center mall before it was destroyed in the attacks of 9/11.
145. Century 21
Year Established: 1961
Store Closures: 13
Century 21 (the department store chain, not the real estate agency) has been part of the American retail world since 1961. Never one of the giants of its industry, Century 21’s 13 retail locations had a loyal customer base scattered across the Northeastern States that were disappointed to hear of the discount shop’s bankruptcy in December 2020.
After more than a year of hoping, Century 21’s longtime customers have finally received some good news. The company’s founders, the Gindi Family (along with a private investor), re-purchased Century 21’s intellectual property for just $9 million in 2021. The location in lower Manhattan is scheduled to resume business as usual sometime in 2023.
146. Abercrombie & Fitch
Year Established: 1892
Store Closures: 137
Founded in 1892, Abercrombie & Fitch has provided Americans with casual wear for over a century. Over the past few decades, mall-based locations have begun popping up everywhere, and by 2020 there were more than 800 Abercrombie stores globally. Since 2020, expansion has slowed to a crawl.
At times, it actually went in reverse. If you’re like the 90s American pop band LFO, and you like people “that wear Abercrombie & Fitch,” you won’t be too pleased to find out 137 retail locations ceased operations in 2020. Amazingly, those 137 stores accounted for more than 1.1 million square feet of prime real estate in some of North America’s largest cities.
147. Chipotle
Year Established: 1993
Store Closures: 65
The summer of 2018 was anything but bright and cheerful for the folks at Chipotle. After a quarter of a century, the company’s headquarters were relocated from Denver, disrupting the lives of more than 400 employees. Next, employees from sixty-five locations were given their pink slips. Could it get any worse? Of course.
The 2020 economic crisis affected Chipotle similarly to most other restaurant chains. The big difference? Chipotle not only survived but has returned to expanding its reach. Two years removed from the crisis, there are 200 more locations than before.
148. Amazon
Year Established: 1994
Store Closures: 68
As one of the pioneers of the e-commerce world, Amazon has experienced the ups and downs of the roller coaster that is the business world. The company has experimented with countless products and ideas over the years, many of which turned out to be less successful than hoped.
Among the “good, not great” ideas were the physical Amazon bookstores, the Amazon Pop Up shops, and Amazon 4-star. With these stores having lower profit margins than desired, Amazon opted to close the 68 (combined) locations and steer its ship towards a brick-and-mortar-free tomorrow.
149. Signet
Year Established: 1949
Store Closures: 100
Signet, one of the world’s largest diamond retailers, once had almost 3,000 locations across more than a dozen countries. By the winter of 2018, Signet was at the top of its game, but most of its locations were mall-based — something the company would not recognize as problematic until a few years later.
After more than a year of shoppers avoiding malls, Signet’s mall-based locations were no longer as relevant as they once were. In a shift towards online sales, one hundred of the diamond retailer’s brick-and-mortar locations were put out to pasture in 2021.
150. Tuesday Morning
Year Established: 1974
Store Closures: 200+
Extended closures wreaked havoc on Tuesday Morning’s business plan in 2020, and before the summer arrived, the discount home goods store filed for Chapter 11. However, just half a year later, the Dallas-headquartered company did the unthinkable and emerged from the other side of bankruptcy to reclaim its assets and begin anew.
In the aftermath of the “Red Wedding” of retail, nearly one-quarter of TUEM stores were closed as part of the company’s restructuring plan. The good news kept coming for Tuesday Morning, and it was re-listed one year following its delisting from NASDAQ. Tuesday Morning’s story is an inspiring tale of defying the odds to reclaim what’s yours.
151. Hooters
Year Established: 1983
Store Closures: 4
From the tight tops and short shorts uniforms that its waitresses are asked to wear to the gender discrimination lawsuit the wing bar faced in the late 90s, Hooters has been making headlines for one reason or another since its opening. In the wake of the #MeToo movement, Hooters re-evaluated and restructured its business plan to include ‘Hoots,’ a similar establishment in which employees are fully dressed.
This decision – along with the economic problems that 2020 dealt businesses globally – have resulted in just four Hooters (or 1.3% of its locations) closing shop. That’s not too bad, considering more than 10% of restaurants in the United States fell victim to the economic crisis.
152. Forever21
Year Established: 1984
Store Closures: 178
Forever21 was helping to dress 30-something-year-olds desperately trying to hang on to their youth for more than two decades. By the mid-2010s, what was considered hip in fashion had shifted gears, and Forever was no longer trendy. A 32% drop in sales in 2019 pushed Forever21 into a corner and left the company with few choices.
In the fall of 2019, Forever21 filed for bankruptcy. Shortly after the announcement, the company withdrew from more than three dozen countries and shut down 178 of its American locations. On Groundhog Day, in 2020, a group of mall operators, including BPYPP, paid $81 million to purchase all of Forever 21’s remaining assets.
153. Toys R Us
Year Established: 1948
Store Closures: 2
Toys R Us was at (or near) the top of the list of places to be for kids who grew up in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Before the internet and online shopping, the giant toy store was the go-to shop to buy presents for anyone that’s a kid or a kid at heart.
While many of its international locations have remained in business, in 2018, the American branch of Toys R Us began the process of liquidating its 700+ U.S.-based stores. In 2021, the two last locations (The Galleria in Houston and Paramus, New Jersey) sold their last toys — thus ending a 70+ year relationship with American customers.
154. Bose
Year Established: 1964
Store Closures: 119
This electronics company is in its seventh decade of providing homes with top-notch, grade-A, “ain’t no sound like it,” audio equipment. Bose’s range of products includes everything from noise-canceling headphones to car sound systems, which have been a hit with customers over the years. Recently, Bose has had to switch gears, adapt to the retail world, or get left behind.
In late 2019/early 2020, Bose made the tough decision to close down every one of its 119 brick-and-mortar locations in order to focus on its online business. The decision turned out to be a good one as it predated the economic crisis just a few months later.
155. Topshop
Year Established: 1964
Store Closures: 11
After operating in the United Kingdom for more than 50 years, Topshop followed the ways of the “British Invasion” and arrived in the United States surrounded by hype. The first location stateside opened in 2009 on Broadway in New York. Eight years later, eleven Topshop locations were operating in America — none of which were performing as expected.
Following just one decade of American operations, in 2019, all of Topshop’s U.S. partner Arcadia filed for Chapter 15 Bankruptcy and subsequently closed down shop for good. You might not be able to walk into a Topshop location, but you can still buy the products at participating Nordstroms and online.
156. Papa Johns
Year Established: 1984
Store Closures: 51
What started as a pizza business out the back of a man’s father’s pub in 1984 has blossomed into one of the world’s top-5 largest pizza delivery chains — considering the competition, that speaks volumes. There are now over 5,000 Papa Johns pizzerias in more than 45 countries, but most of Papa Johns’ business still comes from the States.
Following a few bad quarters in 2018, Papa Johns closed 51 of its worst underperforming locations. As recent as November 2021, the pizza company that originated in Indiana amended its name by removing the apostrophe before the ’s’ in ‘Johns.’
157. Pier 1 Imports
Year Established: 1962
Store Closures: 540
Pier 1 Imports had been supplying North Americans with various unique home furnishings and decorations dating back to 1962. The company opened its 1000th retail location by the end of 2019, and it looked like the sky was the limit.
Due to the increase in digital shopping and a diminishing customer base, before the 2020 global financial crisis began, the top brass at Pier 1 had already announced its intentions to find a buyer for the business. Unable to find a buyer due to the economic conditions, Pier 1 closed all its 540 locations across the United States and Canada and can now be found under the category “Defunct Businesses.”
158. Stein Mart
Year Established: 1908
Store Closures: 279
Stein Mart was founded over one hundred years ago in Greenville, Mississippi, as a general merchandise-carrying department store. In the company’s third decade of operations, it switched focus to discount clothing and started to become the company that the shoppers of yesteryear knew and loved.
With almost 300 locations in America and an even brighter future ahead, Stein Mart was hit particularly hard by 2020’s global economic crisis. The discount clothing store was unable to make it through the summer and filed for Chapter 11 in August 2020. By Halloween that year, the last of Stein Mart’s 279 stores had closed, and the Jacksonville-based retailer was officially defunct.
159. Fry’s Electronics
Year Established: 1985
Store Closures: 30
No matter what you needed, whether it was a new waffle maker for Saturday morning breakfasts with the family, tools for the garden, or parts to upgrade your PC, Fry’s Electronics had it all. It was a one-stop shop that first opened in Sunnyvale, California, but quickly made its mark in eight other states.
At the end of February 2021, citing “challenges posed” by the events of 2020 as one of the major factors involved, Fry’s Electronics announced that it would be ceasing operations immediately — and the closures were permanent.
160. J.C. Penney
Year Established: 1902
Store Closures: 156
Like many other companies that followed a similar business plan, J.C. Penney’s sales were hurt tremendously over the past decade by the emergence of online shopping. The 2020 economic crisis and a change in the industry’s climate led to J.C. Penney filing for bankruptcy.
In the fall of 2020, :Simon Property Group and Brookfield Management agreed to buy J.C. Penney for debt and cash that will total close to $800 million. The sale of the company led to only 156 locations closing (90 in the United States). It also meant that J.C. Penney — as a store name — has lived to see another day.
161. Michaels
Year Established: 1973
Store Closures: 5
If you plan to decorate your home with personalized crafts or hand-paint wooden frames for the photos of your most treasured memories, Michaels will probably have what you need. Are you expecting a new child or grandchild? Michaels also has everything you’ll need to knit “blankies,” frilly hats, and scratch-preventing mittens for the soon-to-be arriving little one.
By 2021, Michaels operated close to 1,000 locations across 49 states (everywhere other than Hawaii) and had reported sales of $5.3+ billion for 2020. Still, late that year, the top brass at Michaels sold the business to Apollo Global Management in a deal worth $3.3 billion and $22/share for each of Michaels’ outstanding shares.
162. Cracker Barrel
Year Established: 1969
Store Closures: TBC
Cracker Barrel has been serving customers since its inception in 1969, much to the delight of many Americans across the country. The eatery has over 600 locations, but rumors started circulating in recent years that the chain could be looking at closures.
However, if the last few years have taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. Cracker Barrel wouldn’t be the first popular chain to close underperforming locations in the current climate. So, while there are no closures currently planned, it might be wise to watch this space.
163. Price Chopper
Year Established: 1973
Store Closures: 1
Known for always having “fresher ways to save” for the “people who love food…and low prices!” Price Chopper began business under its current name in 1973. Over the following four decades, Price Chopper was seemingly unstoppable—opening more than 130 locations across the Northeastern United States.
In 2021, Price Chopper and Tops supermarkets merged to create the Northeast Grocery company—both continuing to operate under their own store names. As in the case of most mergers, some locations fall to the wayside, and this was no different. The Merle Hay Road location in Des Moines, Iowa, was the latest Price Chopper to announce its closure. September 18, 2022, will be its final day.
164. ACME Markets
Year Established: 1891
Store Closures: 1
The first thing that comes to mind when most people think of the ACME company are the faulty traps and gadgets the coyote constantly attempts to catch the road runner with. Not the super successful supermarket chain that’s been operating since 1891 and has had as many as 161 locations across America’s Northeast,
As part of its grocery store takeover Albertsons acquired ACME from American Stores in 1999 and saw almost two decades of success with the brand before a change in the industry brought about multiple store closures. Three locations closed in 2016, followed by a handful of others over the next few years—the latest being one in New Jersey early in 2022.
165. Bed, Bath & Beyond
Year Established: 1971
Store Closures: 37
Dating back to 1971, if there was something you needed for the bedroom, something you needed for the bathroom, or something you needed that was beyond anything you could have ever imagined you might need, there has only been one place to go. Bed, Bath & Beyond.
At its peak, Bed, Bath & Beyond had more than 1,500 locations across half a dozen countries and all fifty of America’s states. Going into 2020, the company’s future looked bright, but the economic crisis took its toll on the retailer. So far, in 2022, Bed, Bath & Beyond has announced 37 location closures—and there’s still a third of the year to go.
166. Super Foodtown
Year Established: 1955
Store Closures: 1
Foodtown was born and raised in New Jersey in the mid-1950s, but as time went on it grew too large for its home state and had no choice but to spread to New York, eastern Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. Foodtown continued to grow over the next few decades and, at one point, had more than 160 locations.
Now with locations that number in the 60s, Foodtown continues to see locations cease operating. After 43 years of serving customers, citing an inability to agree on a new lease, the Super Foodtown location at the corner of Deal Road and Route 35 in Ocean Township, New Jersey, will be shutting its doors permanently on August 12, 2022.
167. Panera
Year Established: 1997
Store Closures: 100+
Suppose you like fresh bread, fresh salads, delicious sandwiches, and reasonable prices, and you live in the United States or select Southern Ontario cities. In that case, there’s a good chance you’d enjoy what Panera has to offer. Panera (bread basket in Latin) opened its first store in 1997 and grew exponentially in its first 23 years to have approximately 2,000 locations by 2020.
Like most of the hospitality world, Panera could not escape unscathed from the restaurant apocalypse that followed the global economic crisis of 2020/2021. Panera lost several locations due to the crisis, and the number continues to rise. On August 2, 2022, the Union Square location in New York closed for business.
168. Panera
Year Established: 1997
Store Closures: 100+
Suppose you like fresh bread, fresh salads, delicious sandwiches, and reasonable prices, and you live in the United States or select Southern Ontario cities. In that case, there’s a good chance you’d enjoy what Panera has to offer. Panera (bread basket in Latin) opened its first store in 1997 and grew exponentially in its first 23 years to have approximately 2,000 locations by 2020.
Like most of the hospitality world, Panera could not escape unscathed from the restaurant apocalypse that followed the global economic crisis of 2020/2021. Panera lost several locations due to the crisis, and the number continues to rise. On August 2, 2022, the Union Square location in New York closed for business.
169. Lidl
Year Established: 1932
Store Closures: 1
Lidl has been providing German shoppers with discount retail goods since 1932, but it wasn’t until 2017 that it finally made it across the Atlantic to America. Through its first 5 years, stateside, Lidl was living the ‘American Dream’—opening more than 300 locations in nine states in that time.
Rapid expansion is a risky practice made even riskier when doing so in an already saturated market. Due to poor performance and an overall lack of interest in the store, the Danville, Virginia location was the latest Lidl store to shut down (July 31, 2022).
170. Costco
Year Established: 1983
Store Closures: 1
When Costco came onto the scene in 1983, it followed the business model its predecessor (Price Club) tested to great success. It’s a big-box retail wholesaler where you can get outrageously large quantities of things for significantly less than if you were to visit regular shops. Costco doesn’t have customers, it has members. And only members can shop there.
Costco has opened over 800 warehouses across a dozen countries and has tens of thousands of members. However, after more than two decades, the members of the Springdale, Ohio location will have to find a new club to join because theirs is scheduled to close in the fall of 2022.
171. Fallas
Year Established: 1962
Store Closures: Unknown
What Joseph Fallas began in 1960s Los Angeles as a discount store to beat all discount stores has ballooned into a discount retail franchise with close to 350 locations. If there was anything you needed, you could probably find it at a Fallas store, and it would be cheap as chips.
Citing the hardships caused by the lack of customers during 2020 and 2021 and the lack of disposable income customers had in 2022, Fallas locations nationwide have been shuttering their doors, including San Francisco’s Mission Street store, which lasted only nine years in the location.
172. Great Lakes Coffee
Year Established: 1994
Store Closures: 2
Established by Greg and Lisa Miracle in the mid-90s, the Great Lakes Coffee company was never as globally successful as some of its rivals, but due to its community outlook, it has built up quite a fan base over the years. However, if you’re going to talk the talk, you must walk the walk.
When employees of two of Detroit’s Great Lakes Coffee locations demanded safer work environments and better wages in February 2022, ownership stood still. The two locations were shut down instead—leaving the employees out of work and Great Lakes with just three remaining locations. Great Lakes Coffee enthusiasts might soon find themselves switching to Starbucks.
173. Sprouts Farmers Market
Year Established: 2002
Store Closures: 2
The first Sprouts Farmers Market opened in Chandler, Arizona, in 2002. Sprouts focused on organic produce and health supplements to stand apart from its competition. The business plan worked. Sprouts blossomed into one of America’s largest grocery stores of its kind and had nearly 400 stores at its peak. Two decades in, Sprouts Farmers Market is thriving, even if some of its stores have closed.
The latest locations of Sprouts Farmers Market to close down were the Mountain View and Fremont stores—both were located in the San Francisco Bay area, and both stopped business operations on June 3, 2022.
174. Borden Dairy
Year Established: 2009
Store Closures: 2
The Dallas-based Borden Dairy was founded in 2009 and has been a major provider of milk and other dairy products to the southern United States for over a decade. Sadly, due to rising raw milk prices and a variety of other issues, Borden Dairy filed for Chapter 11 in 2020 (pre-pandemic).
Fast forward 2 years and the Alabama and Mississippi Borden Dairy factories are scheduled to close by September 30, 2022. But the company is not hanging its loyal and hard-working staff out to dry. The factories’ current workers will be given the option to apply for positions at Borden Dairy’s other factories and be given support to help them through this new and challenging time.
175. Maybelline
Year Established: 1914
Store Closures: Unconfirmed
Having been founded in 1914, Maybelline has been part of the mainstream cosmetic industry for over a century. With a massive footprint on home soil (Europe) and across the Atlantic in Canada and the United States, the beauty care company expanded to China in 1997, opening more than 5,000 stores in 130+ cities over the next 2+ decades.
As a result of local competition and gaining interest in expensive brands, the market outlook has changed over the past few years. It once had more than 15% of the Chinese market, but now Maybelline has announced the closure of at least 80 of its China-based brick-and-mortar locations.
176. Pick ‘n Save
Year Established: 1975
Store Closures: 1
When it was first established in 1975, Pick ’n Save was a warehouse food store. However, as time moved on, it evolved into one of the best-known and most-shopped grocery stores in Wisconsin. Currently, there are almost 100 locations in the state (93) and employees in and around 10,000 employees.
As bad as 2020 was for the retail and hospitality industries, the effects of that year’s economic crisis are still being felt 2 years later. With grocery stores closing left, right, and center these days, Pick ’n Save should consider itself lucky that only a handful of its locations have gone belly up, including the Ruby Isle branch, which is set to close on September 3, 2022.
177. Full Service Barbeque
Year Established: 2008
Store Closures: 3
Full Service BBQ was the brainchild of entrepreneur/chef Anthony DiFranco III. “Not just a pit stop,” Full Service BBQ provided its diners with top-quality southern BBQ made-to-order for a price that wouldn’t break the bank. Whether you’re a fan of ribs, rump, sirloin, or a classic homemade burger, Full Service had it all and then some.
DiFranco III’s Full Service BBQ was a staple of Lenoir City, Farragut, and Maryville, Tennessee, for a decade and a half, but at the start of August 2022, all three locations, as well as the companies food trucks, extinguished their grills for the last time—citing economic issues as the reason for its closure.
178. Plowboys BBQ
Year Established: 2001
Store Closures: All
If 2020 and 2021 taught business owners anything, the hospitality industry is not as stable as once thought. After centuries of the industry thriving, everything came to a standstill seemingly overnight. After coming out the other side of the global economic crisis in what appeared to be half-decent shape, Plowboys BBQ’s founders were done taking chances.
Following more than two decades of above-average success, brothers in laws Randy Hink and Todd Johns, along with the company’s other two founders, have opted to hand up their BBQ tongs and retire from the restaurant industry, effectively shutting down all remaining Plowboys locations.
179. GEICO
Year Established: 1936
Store Closures: 38
Everyone’s favorite reptile spokesperson, the GEICO gecko, has been selling insurance in person and over the phone nationwide for the better part of eight decades. However, as of August 2022, that will no longer be the case.
GEICO’s California footprint has all but been erased. All 38 of the Sunshine State’s GEICO offices have been closed, leaving hundreds of employees without jobs and Californians who have trouble navigating the internet without the option to sign up for GEICO’s insurance policies by any other means. If you require insurance, GEICO’s parent company BRK has several other subsidiaries that could be of service.
180. Zoës Kitchen
Year Established: 1995
Store Closures: 1*
With 90 locations spread across 15 states, Zoës Kitchen had come a long way from when it was just a single-location Mediterranean restaurant in Homewood, Alabama. At the time of its founding, Zoës Kitchen was a unique stop in an area that was privy to mostly BBQ and deep-fried foods.
A quarter of a century later, it appears that the rest of America has finally caught up with Zoës. There are now Mediterranean and Middle Eastern grills all over the place, and Zoës Kitchen—one of the southern pioneers for the style—has been left out in the cold.
181. Dollar General
Year Established: 1955
Store Closures: Unconfirmed
Some establishments have been forced to close their doors due to unexpected and unforeseen economic crises, while others expanded too rapidly and overestimated their own popularity. Unfortunately for Dollar General, neither of those reasons is what has caused its store closures.
Alternatively, a handful of Dollar General locations have been flagged by the U.S Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration as having “Critical Safety Issues.” These issues have to do with hazardous and possibly life-threatening situations being present in the stores. What could have caused the closures, you ask? The emergency exits were blocked and/or padlocked in some of the stores. And they were selling at least a dozen toxic chemical-containing products.
182. Gopuff
Year Established: 2013
Store Closures: 76*
Established less than a decade ago as a hookah and hookah accessory delivery service, Gopuff has evolved into a complete on-demand delivery service that provides customers with almost anything they would find at their local convenience store. As of the summer of 2021 Gopuff was valued at a whopping $15 billion, but that hasn’t kept it from seeing its share of troubles.
Still considered a start-up, even though it has had tremendous success over the years, Gopuff announced it would be closing 76 of its U.S. warehouse locations, effectively leaving approximately 1,500 employees (more than 10% of its global workers) searching for alternate employment.
183. Smithfield Foods
Year Established: 1936
Store Closures: 1*
Having produced and processed pork and other foods since the 1930s, Smithfield Foods has become more than just a household name in America—it also has processing facilities in half a dozen other countries. Smithfield Foods has more than 500 U.S. farms alone, along with the 2,000+ independent pig farmers who have signed contracts with the now China-owned company.
Citing the rising costs of operating in the Golden State, Smithfield Foods’ top brass has made the tough decision to cease operational activity at the company’s Vernon, California, meatpacking plant by early 2023. The decision means that around 2,000 Smithfield employees will soon be out of jobs.
184. YMCA
Year Established: 1844
Store Closures: Unknown
There was a time when it was “fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.” Thanks to the pandemic, which has caused many people to rethink their decisions to join community and fitness centers, that overwhelming desire to join the ranks of the Young Men’s Christian Association has dramatically subsided in some places.
For instance, one of Southern Maine’s YMCA locations saw more than a two-thirds drop in membership during 2020/2021 and is yet to rebound from the ordeal. This has resulted in the unfortunate announcement that September 2, 2022, would be that Y location’s final day.
185. Hale and Hearty
Year Established: 1990
Store Closures: 16*
Brothers Jonathan and Andrew Schnipper understood that not enough can be said about the classic mealtime combination of a hearty soup and a well-prepared sandwich. They believed in the concept so wholeheartedly that they created Hale and Hearty Soups and turned it into a popular New York City lunch spot at 849 Lexington Ave.
More Hale and Hearty locations began to open as the years went by. They even became so popular that the concept spread to Long Island and Boston. In July 2022, without any explanation or warning, every one of New York’s sixteen Hale and Hearty stores.
186. StubHub
Year Established: 2000
Store Closures: 3*
StubHub was created in 2000—during the dot com boom—as a one-stop shop for people to buy and sell event tickets of all kinds. More than 25% of StubHub’s United States-based employees are at the San Fransisco office. Likewise, more than 100 other workers call the China and Shanghai City branches their place of employment.
Or, they did, at least. Citing the 2020/2021 global economic crisis as a leading factor in the decision, the eBay owned platform has announced the imminent closures of those 3 office locations.
187. Hy-Vee
Year Established: 1930
Store Closures: 2*
Hy-Vee has provided customers with baked goods, a well-stocked delicatessen, beautiful floral arrangements, wines & spirits, pharmaceutical needs, and a pre-prepared food section with a wide variety of ready-to-eat meals for nearly a century. Its largest current location is almost as big as two football fields, and there are plans for even larger stores in the woodwork.
However, all because new stores are on the cards, that doesn’t mean the company is immune from store closures and repurposing. In fact, at the end of 2021, it was announced that two Hy-Vee locations would be biting the dust by spring 2022.
188. Jokr
Year Established: 2021
Store Closures: Exiting US
Like many online grocery delivery apps, Jokr seemed to come up during the pandemic amid the “stay at home” era. More and more people turned to deliveries to avoid going to the stores themselves. However, Jokr’s US operations seemingly weren’t built to last.
In June 2021, the app announced that it would be ceasing US operations to focus on business in Latin America. The business previously served New York and Boston, with many customers now having no choice but to look for an alternative way to get groceries delivered direct-to-door.
189. Wells Fargo
Year Established: 1852
Store Closures: Over a dozen locations
Wells Fargo is one of America’s longest-running financial institutions, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be around forever – at least, not in the way that customers have become accustomed to over the years. Along with Bank of America, Wells Fargo has announced the closure of more than a dozen physical locations.
With the rise of online banking, more and more banks are getting rid of in-person facilities. It might be a bit frustrating for those that prefer doing things over the counter, but in terms of business, it doesn’t make sense to keep the lights on when visitor numbers are steadily declining.
190. Olive Garden
Year Established: 1982
Store Closures: Over 40 locations
Olive Garden has announced the closure of 45 locations nationwide, mainly due to a decline in customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of these Olive Garden locations were smaller, older locations located in California, New York, Pennsylvania and Florida.
In addition to this round of closings, the chain is planning to reduce its overall restaurant count by another 40 locations within the next two years. These locations span several states, including Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois and Ohio. All affected employees will receive transition assistance as part of their separation packages from Olive Garden. This closure was met with much sadness by customers who frequented these locations and expressed their fond memories in social media posts and articles.
191. Party City
Year Established: 1986
Store Closures: 31 Branches*
Party City, the much-loved hub of celebration, has unfortunately hit a bump in the road. Having added zest to occasions since 1986, it now faces the challenge of closing 31 stores in response to a multitude of challenges including the global supply chain crisis and pandemic-induced hurdles.
However, in true party spirit, CEO Brad Weston has laid out a plan for a resilient comeback, keeping the business buoyant and the festive cheer alive. It’s a testament to their enduring spirit, proving that even the party industry knows how to rally when the chips are down.
192. Big Lots
Year Established: 1967
Store Closures: 4 Branches*
Big Lots, the department store legend since 1967, is going through a whirlwind of change. Four Colorado outlets have closed their doors, and there are more closures to come before the end of 2023. But fear not! Big Lots is determined to thrive in this ever-changing retail landscape.
Bruce Thorn, the mastermind CEO, is shaking things up to adapt to the times. It’s all about strategic moves and long-term growth. So, wave goodbye to a few stores, raise your discount coffee mugs, and get ready for a retail revolution. Big Lots is here to bring you unbeatable deals and an unforgettable shopping experience.
193. Morphe Cosmetics
Year Established: 2008
Store Closures: 18 Branches*
Morphe Cosmetics, the beauty brand beloved by makeup artists and influencers alike, is finding the beauty industry isn’t as glamorous as it seems. Since its establishment in 2008, Morphe has made its mark with bold colors and quality products.
Although, the closure of 18 stores paints a different picture. The company’s shift in focus towards wholesale and e-commerce operations is indicative of a broader trend within the retail industry. However, beauty enthusiasts can breathe a sigh of relief as Morphe’s products will continue to be available online and at select U.S. retailers.
194. Belk
Year Established: 1888
Store Closures: 1 Branch*
Belk, a regional department store chain with an impressive history dating back to 1888, has recently announced the closure of one of its locations in Selma, Alabama. For many, Belk was more than just a place to shop—it was a cornerstone, a fashion paradise stocked with national brands and their own stylish creations.
This decision is part of Belk’s grand plan to adapt and conquer the shifting retail landscape. It’s like a makeover montage, where they’re carefully reviewing their business and reorienting their strategies to meet the demands of the ever-changing fashion world.
195. Dirt Cheap
Year Established: 1997
Store Closures: 13 Branches*
Dirt Cheap, an “extreme value retailer” that first opened its doors in 1997, has been offering customers major brand returns and excess inventory at great prices. However, the company, under the parentage of Channel Control Merchants, is seeking to close 13 stores.
These closures, primarily in Texas, are part of a strategic attempt to realign the business for long-term growth, without compromising on the value it offers its customers. But fear not, value lovers! Dirt Cheap remains committed to its mission and adapting to the commercial landscape. Get ready for even better deals ahead!
196. Dollar Tree Store
Year Established: 1986
Store Closures: 2 Branches*
Dollar Tree, the beloved discount variety store that has been our go-to destination for incredible deals since 1986, has some news. Two of their stores are closing. This move, although difficult, signifies Dollar Tree’s strategic response to a rapidly evolving retail environment.
Despite these closures, Dollar Tree remains determined to continue offering customers the value and convenience they have come to expect from the company. So, gather your shopping lists and get ready for the next chapter in Dollar Tree’s journey. They’re ready to conquer the bargain realm and make your wallet jump for joy.
197. The RealReal
Year Established: 2011
Store Closures: 6 Branches*
The RealReal, a pioneer in luxury consignment since 2011, is making tough decisions to remain competitive in a fast-paced market. The company announced the closure of six of its stores along with the unfortunate layoff of 230 employees. This is part of a wider cost-cutting measure in an effort to stay competitive and reduce operating expenses.
The RealReal is making strategic changes to navigate the ever-changing fashion landscape while keeping their sustainable values intact. Get ready for a revamped luxury consignment experience that will continue to elevate your style and contribute to a greener future.
198. Champs Sports
Year Established: 1984
Store Closures: 125 Branches*
As a well-known sports retail store established in 1984, Champs Sports has been the go-to destination for sportswear enthusiasts for decades. Unfortunately, the company has announced the closure of 125 underperforming locations as part of a broader business reorganization initiated by its parent company, Foot Locker.
Despite representing a quarter of their total stores, this strategic move seeks to streamline operations, enhance profitability, and maintain a strong brand presence. Champs Sports remains committed to serving its loyal customer base and is focused on creating an immersive, inclusive, and inspirational customer experience in their remaining locations.
199. buybuy Baby
Year Established: 1996
Store Closures: 122 Branches*
Since 1996, buybuy Baby has been an integral part of the parenting journey for many. The baby product retailer has offered everything from diapers to high chairs, helping parents navigate the exciting world of parenthood. However, in a turn of events precipitated by Bed Bath & Beyond (its parent company), buybuy Baby has regrettably announced the closure of all 122 stores in 37 states.
Despite the sad news, buybuy Baby remains committed to providing parents with a comprehensive selection of baby products. Liquidation sales will run through June 30, 2023, offering customers the opportunity to purchase quality products at reduced prices. The closure of these stores marks an end of an era, yet buybuy Baby continues to play an important role in serving the needs of parents and families online.
200. Journeys
Year Established: 1986
Store Closures: 100+ Branches*
Journeys, the footwear and apparel retailer that’s been setting trends since 1986, is set to close over 100 stores, marking a challenging chapter in its history. This decision, however, is not a stumble but a strategic move to recalibrate in response to changing consumer demand.
Journeys is lacing up for the marathon ahead, focusing on streamlining operations and stepping up its e-commerce game. The move to close stores is an adroit maneuver to save up to $40 million and provide a steady footing for the company’s future. Even in the face of adversity, Journeys remains committed to walking side by side with its customers.
201. Harmon
Year Established: 1971
Store Closures: 50 Branches*
Harmon, a reliable name in the health and beauty industry since 1971 and a subsidiary of Bed Bath & Beyond, has also fallen under the weight of its parent company’s bankruptcy. Announcing the closure of all remaining 50 branches by the end of June 2023, it signifies a heartfelt goodbye to their loyal customers who have stood by their side for more than five decades.
Despite these challenging times, Harmon remains committed to providing quality and value through its online platform. The company plans to focus more on e-commerce, providing a more convenient and customer-centric shopping experience.
202. Christmas Tree Shops
Year Established: 1970
Store Closures: 10 Branches*
A sprinkling of sadness shrouds the holiday season this year as the much-loved Christmas Tree Shops, purveyors of joy and festive cheer since 1970, grapple with the icy winds of financial adversity. The cozy store, an emblem of all things merry, finds itself under the burdensome cloud of Chapter 11 bankruptcy, causing a ripple of despair through its devoted patron base.
In an announcement that feels like a lump of coal in a Christmas stocking, 10 branches out of the 82 will be hanging up their garlands for the final time. Despite the hush that will fall over these outlets, the remaining stores stay committed to preserving the legacy, promising to continue their mission of celebrating life’s special moments with their valued customers.
203. Amazon Go
Year Established: 2016
Store Closures: 8 Branches*
In a surprising move, online retail giant Amazon is bidding farewell to eight of its cutting-edge Amazon Go stores. Amid reports of internal unrest and layoffs, this strategic shift hints at a renewed focus on online operations. While these physical stores in Seattle, New York, and San Francisco will cease operations, Amazon remains committed to providing an unrivaled online shopping experience.
It’s a glimpse into the changing landscape of retail, where convenience and innovation continue to thrive. Get ready for the next chapter in Amazon’s online journey as they redefine the way we shop with just a few clicks.
204. JOANN
Year Established: 1943
Store Closures: 8 Branches*
An artistic haven for creative minds, the JOANN arts and crafts chain, is preparing to close eight of its over 800 stores nationwide. Founded in 1943, JOANN has been a comforting destination for craft enthusiasts, offering a plethora of artistic supplies. However, the whispers of a changing era are resonating within its walls.
The decision to close stores, part of a broader adjustment to the physical retail landscape, signifies an inevitable shift towards digital commerce. While the loss of these stores stirs nostalgia, JOANN’s resilience echoes a shared determination among retailers to adapt and persevere in these changing times.
205. Men’s Wearhouse
Year Established: 1973
Store Closures: 150 Branches*
A giant in men’s fashion since 1973, Men’s Wearhouse, stands at a crossroads. In response to the tumultuous winds of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has made a heart-wrenching decision to close all its stores in the US and Canada. The predicament is indicative of the battle retailers face, as consumer behavior shifts dramatically towards online shopping.
As the shutters come down on Men’s Wearhouse, the situation underscores the metamorphosis that the retail landscape is undergoing, raising questions on the future of brick-and-mortar stores.
206. Brooks Brothers
Year Established: 1818
Store Closures: 75 Branches*
Step into the realm of timeless fashion as we unveil the tale of Brooks Brothers, the oldest clothing store in the US. Established in 1818, it has weathered storms throughout history, and now faces the relentless challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, hope shines through as Authentic Brands and Simon Property step in with a $325 million rescue deal.
Yet, the road to the future requires tough choices – 75 stores, part of its rich history, will close. But we’re hoping the new owners and dedicated staff are determined to ensure this iconic fashion haven endures, defining classic style for generations to come.
207. McCormick & Schmick’s
Year Established: 2009
Store Closures: 1 Branch*
Established in 2009, McCormick & Schmick’s steakhouse epitomizes fine dining, boasting an impressive reputation. However, the recent tumultuous economic landscape led to an unexpected announcement: the closure of its only Central Ohio location.
The shift doesn’t signify an end but a transformation, with the steakhouse soon to be replaced by Mastro’s, a high-end concept from its parent company, Houston-based hospitality group Landry’s, Inc. From sizzling steaks to an upscale dining experience, get ready to indulge in the next chapter of culinary excellence.
208. Primanti Bros.
Year Established: 1933
Store Closures: 2 Branches*
Known for its iconic sandwich shops, Primanti Bros., rooted in Pittsburgh since 1933, waved goodbye to its only two Michigan locations. The abrupt closure, leaving customers and employees startled, paints a poignant picture of the relentless pressures felt by the restaurant industry.
The exact reasons behind the closures remain uncertain, fueling speculation among customers on social media. Some suggest that the impact of COVID-19 changed the restaurants, leaving them feeling different. Others point to inflation and escalating costs of food and other expenses. Management changes could also be a factor. The true cause of the closures remains a mystery.
209. Green Zebra
Year Established: 2013
Store Closures: 3 Branches*
Green Zebra, the celebrated Portland-based grocer known for its enchanting mix of neighborhood convenience and specialty products, is bidding farewell to its three remaining stores. Since its inception in 2013, this unique grocery chain has been a beloved part of the local tapestry, redefining the concept of shopping with its innovative approach.
Green Zebra has been a strong supporter of Portland’s food economy, partnering with over 100 local nonprofits and prioritizing its staff by raising wages and offering affordable health insurance. Despite their efforts, the retailer couldn’t overcome the challenges of COVID-19 and the current economic conditions, leaving them deeply disappointed.
210. Aldi
Year Established: 1961
Store Closures: 1 Branch*
Aldi, the discount grocery giant known for sweeping the nation with its high-quality, low-cost offerings, has made the strategic decision to close its Lower Burrell store in the Pittsburgh suburbs after 15 loyal years of service. Known as America’s fastest-growing grocer with 49 new stores launched in 2022 alone, this move reveals Aldi’s strategic capacity to make tough decisions.
But Aldi enthusiasts need not worry, as the retailer is set to open a grand, new 21,000-square-foot store in nearby New Kensington only two days later. Aldi’s journey mirrors the rapidly shifting grocery landscape and the importance of adaptability in an ever-evolving consumer market.
211. Family Video
Year Established: 1978
Store Closures: 250
As a video rental store, it’s an incredible feat that Family Video managed to stay alive as long as it did. With competitors like Blockbuster crumbling years before, it’s a marvel that Family Video scraped by for as long as it did. The video store closed all 250 stores in early 2021, moving instead to an online store.
With 800 stores at its peak, Family Video was a neighborhood staple for many who frequented it to search for their next home movie night flick. Rather than lease stores, Family Video was able to survive as long as it did by owning the property outright.
212. Hardee’s
Year Established: 1960
Store Closures: 39 Branches*
In a significant turn of events, Hardee’s, a beloved name in fast food, witnessed the closure of a staggering 39 restaurants when one of its major franchisees declared bankruptcy. Once overseeing 145 locations across the South, Midwest, and West, Summit Restaurant Holdings now operates a slimmed-down portfolio of 108 outlets.
Hardee’s faced challenges in 2022 as U.S. system sales declined by 4.2% to nearly $2 billion. Average unit volumes also dropped by 3% to below $1.2 million. CKE, the parent company, acknowledged the issues and emphasized their focus on meeting customer needs while investing in restaurant infrastructure for growth.
213. Red Lobster
Year Established: 1968
Store Closures: 8 Branches*
Red Lobster, the classic seafood joint, famous for its mouth-watering lobster, bottomless shrimp platters, and delectable cheddar bay biscuits, faces its own share of turbulent tides. The chain, which once boasted more than 700 global locations, saw eight of its outlets close in 2022 and 2023.
While a mere 1% of Red Lobster’s units, these closures reflect a concerning trend for the seafood chain. Five locations vanished in 2021, and four bid farewell in 2020. But fear not! Red Lobster’s overall sales have remained stable, aside from the pandemic’s impact. The journey back to pre-pandemic levels is still ongoing, but we’re hopeful for a seafood-filled future.
214. Krispy Kreme
Year Established: 1937
Store Closures: 14 Branches*
Sweetening the dough of strategic business decisions, Krispy Kreme, the luminary in the world of doughnuts and coffee, chose to sprinkle some bittersweet sugar with the closure of 14 stores. These closures, far from signaling distress, were strategic maneuvers that bolstered the brand’s strength, propelling it towards a delicious $1.52 billion in net revenue by the end of 2023.
However, Krispy Kreme is on the move. With 382 new retailers added in the last quarter, they’re planning to expand to a whopping 50,000 locations worldwide. Even if you lose your local Krispy Kreme, fear not! Their delicious donuts might just pop up at unexpected places, like McDonald’s. Get ready for a world of donut adventures!
215. David’s Bridal
Year Established: 195o
Store Closures: 52 Branches*
David’s Bridal, the national bridal titan synonymous with wedding planning for decades, is in the throes of a major transition as it seeks a willing buyer after filing for bankruptcy. A monumental decision resulting in potential closure of stores nationwide, this move could lead to more than 9,000 layoffs. The brand’s woes highlight the impact of the changing wedding industry and lower engagement rates.
The popularity of nontraditional wedding attire has hurt the gown business, causing a decline in store traffic and in-store appointments by 22% in Q4 2022. Despite shedding over $434 million in debt through the previous bankruptcy, the company still faces challenges due to a large store footprint and eroded customer confidence.
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