MINNESOTA - In Minnesota, we are used to the cold, but the retail climate in 2026 is freezing out some of the State biggest names. While the Mall of America continues to thrive as a global destination, the "neighborhood malls" that Minnesotans grew up with are facing a catastrophe. 2026 marks the year the department store era effectively ends for the eastern and southern suburbs, while North Minneapolis faces a renewed battle for food access.
Here is the breakdown of the retail shakeup expected to hit the North Star State in 2026.
The Mall Crisis: Macy's Leaves Maplewood & Burnsville
The "Bold New Chapter" for Macy's reads like an obituary for two Twin Cities malls.
- The Closures: The retailer has confirmed it is exiting both Maplewood Mall and Burnsville Center as part of its 150-store closure plan.
- The Impact: * Burnsville: This is likely the final nail in the coffin for the traditional mall model here. With the "Burnsville Center Village" redevelopment plan still in early stages, the massive empty box leaves the mall critically vulnerable.
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Maplewood: This closure hits the East Metro hard. Maplewood Mall has been fighting to stay relevant against Rosedale, and losing its most recognizable anchor could trigger a tenant exodus similar to what happened at Brookdale years ago.
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The Grocery Gap: North Market & Fareway
2026 is proving to be a difficult year for unique grocery concepts.
- North Minneapolis: The closure of North Market (Webber-Camden) in February is a significant setback for the community. While operators promise a "relaunch" later in the year, the immediate result is a food desert in a neighborhood that fought for years to secure a grocery store.
- Luverne: On the rural front, Fareway is closing its experimental "Meat Market" concept in Luverne in January 2026. The closure signals that small-format, specialized grocery stores are struggling to survive in the current economic environment.
The Discount Finale: Big Lots Exits
The slow death of the "closeout" retailer has reached its endgame in Minnesota.
- The News: Big Lots is preparing to shutter its store in Blaine.
- The Significance: This was the chain's "last stand" in Minnesota. Its closure means the brand has effectively exited the state entirely, forcing bargain hunters in the north metro to switch to TJ Maxx or Walmart for home goods.
The Pharmacy Fade: Walgreens in Savage
The national pharmacy correction is hitting the south metro.
- The Closure: Walgreens is closing its location at 4205 Egan Drive in Savage on January 22, 2026.
- The Trend: This follows a pattern of pharmacies closing "non-essential" corners. With a CVS often across the street or a grocery pharmacy nearby, chains are consolidating staffing to busier hubs, leaving some suburban intersections with empty drugstores on the corner.
The "Uptown" Watch
While not a single store, the Uptown Minneapolis corridor enters 2026 on a knife-edge.
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The Reality: After years of unrest and the exit of major brands (Apple, Victoria's Secret), the area is struggling to find a new identity. 2026 is viewed as a "reset" year—if new local tenants don't fill the vacant Seven Points space, the district risks permanently losing its status as a retail destination.
The ultra-premium (Galleria/Edina) and the ultra-discount (Walmart) are fine. But the middle-class mall anchors in Burnsville and Maplewood are vanishing, and the community-focused grocers are struggling to keep the lights on. The days of the "one-stop" suburban shopping trip are fading fast.
Burnsville Center Village Redevelopment Vision
