KANSAS - In Kansas, the "Retail Apocalypse" has moved past the warning phase—it is now in the demolition phase. 2026 marks the definitive end of an era for Wichita's west side, as the State most notorious "zombie mall" finally gives up the ghost. But the pain isn't limited to the air capital; from the capital city of Topeka to the college town of Lawrence, discount retailers and neighborhood staples are vanishing, reshaping how Kansans shop for everything from furniture to milk.
Here is the breakdown of the retail shakeup expected to hit the Sunflower State in 2026.
The Mall Funeral: Towne West Square
For years, Towne West Square in Wichita was the poster child for the "dying mall"—plagued by power shutoffs, potholed parking lots, and fleeing tenants. In 2026, the mall is officially dead.
- The Status: The mall's interior is closed to the public. The property is currently being redeveloped into the "Wichita Business Park," a light industrial and office campus.
- The "Ghost Ships": In a surreal twist, the Dillard's and JCPenney anchors technically remain open (for now) due to separate ownership, operating as "islands" in a sea of construction fences. For shoppers, driving to Towne West is no longer a retail trip; it's an archeological expedition.
The Discount Wipeout: Big Lots
The collapse of the discount home goods market has hit Kansas hard. Big Lots has identified multiple locations for closure as part of its bankruptcy restructuring.
- The Hit List: Confirmed closures include stores in Topeka (SW 29th St), Salina, Shawnee, and Pittsburg.
- The Impact: In towns like Pittsburg and Salina, Big Lots wasn't just a clutter store; it was a primary source for affordable furniture and mattresses. Its exit leaves massive 30,000-square-foot holes in strip centers already struggling to attract national tenants.
The "Food Desert" Crisis: Family Dollar
While the suburbs lare losingfurniture stores, urban neighborhoods are losing faccess to food
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North Lawrence: The closure of the Family Dollar on N. Third Street has sparked a local crisis. For residents of North Lawrence, this store served as the primary grocery stop. Its removal requires a longer trek across the river to obtain basic pantry staples.
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Wichita (Broadway): Similarly, the closure of the location at 13th and Broadway strips a working-class corridor of a vital essential retailer, pushing more residents toward gas stations for their daily needs.
The "Pharmacy" Watch
While Kansas hasn't seen the mass pharmacy closures seen in New York or California yet, the national downsizing by Walgreens and CVS is quietly eroding access.
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The Trend: 2026 is seeing a "thinning" of the herd. Instead of closing entire markets, chains are shuttering older locations in saturated areas such as Overland Park and Olathe, forcing customers to transfer prescriptions to busier, understaffed stores farther away.
The nostalgia of the enclosed mall is being bulldozed in Wichita. The convenience of the corner discount store is vanishing in Lawrence. The landscape is shifting toward a utilitarian future: if it's not a Walmart, a Costco, or an Amazon warehouse, it might not survive the year.
Dead Mall - Towne West Square Mall - Wichita, Kansas - Revisit 2025
