OKLAHOMA - In Oklahoma, the "Retail Apocalypse" isn't just trimming the fat—it is wiping out entire brands. As 2026 begins, the Sooner State is reeling from a series of "total market exits." Unlike other states where chains are just downsizing, Oklahoma is seeing retailers pack up and leave completely. From the sudden disappearance of a popular drive-thru chain to the liquidation of major furniture anchors, the commercial map of OKC and Tulsa is shrinking fast.
Here is the breakdown of the retail shakeup hitting Oklahoma in 2026.
The "Healthy" Shock: Salad and Go Leaves
The most surprising closure of 2026 comes from the fast-casual sector.
- The Exit: Salad and Go, the drive-thru chain known for affordable salads, has abruptly ceased operations in Oklahoma.
- The Impact: The chain has shuttered its fleet of stores across the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metros as part of a retreat to its home market in Arizona. For Oklahomans who embraced the "cheap, healthy" concept, this leaves a void in the drive-thru landscape that has yet to be filled.
The Furniture Collapse: Conn's HomePlus
The collapse of Conn’s HomePlus has hit Oklahoma’s commercial corridors hard.
- The Liquidation: Following its bankruptcy filing, the furniture and electronics retailer has liquidated its Oklahoma locations, including the massive boxes on NW Expressway (OKC) and East 71st Street (Tulsa).
- The Reality: These aren't small storefronts; they are 40,000+ square foot anchors. Their emptiness drags down the property value of the surrounding strip centers, which are now scrambling to find tenants in a market that doesn't need more big-box space.
The Discount Squeeze: Big Lots & Family Dollar
For budget-conscious Oklahomans, 2026 is becoming a "Desert of Discounts."
- Big Lots: The closeout retailer is aggressively shrinking its footprint. Confirmed closures include stores in Tulsa (Sheridan Rd), Ada, and Broken Arrow. In some towns, Big Lots was the primary source for affordable furniture and housewares.
- Family Dollar: As the chain executes its 1,000-store closure plan nationwide, Oklahoma’s rural towns are vulnerable. Communities in Muskogee and Okmulgee counties are watching closely, as the loss of a Family Dollar often means the loss of the only general store in town.
The "Ghost Mall" Watch: Tulsa Promenade
While Penn Square and Woodland Hills remain strong, the story of 2026 is the final funeral for the Tulsa Promenade.
- The Status: After closing its doors to the public in late 2023 due to code violations, 2026 marks the definitive end. New ownership groups (linked to the Tulsa Oilers) are moving forward with plans to convert the site into a sports and housing complex.
- The Symbolism: The demolition or repurposing of the Promenade confirms that Tulsa cannot support three malls. The "Midtown Mall" era is officially dead, replaced by the open-air dominance of places like Utica Square and the Gathering Place.
The "Restaurant Recession"
It isn't just retail. 2026 has brought a wave of closures to Oklahoma’s dining scene.
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The Trend: Rising food costs and labor shortages have forced dozens of local staples in the Plaza District and Cherry Street to close their doors. The margin for error is gone; if a restaurant isn't packed on Tuesday night, it likely won't survive the year.
The middle-tier chains are vanishing. If you aren't a giant like Walmart or a luxury destination like Classen Curve, you are at risk. For the average Oklahoman, the convenient stops for a cheap salad, a discounted sofa, or a quick grocery run are disappearing, replaced by "For Lease" signs.
Rising costs force dozens of metro restaurants to close in 2026
