MISSOURI - In Missouri, the "Retail Apocalypse" has moved from a concept to a construction project. For decades, the suburbs of St. Louis and Kansas City were defined by their massive regional malls. But in 2026, those monuments to consumerism are literally being torn down. From the dust rising over Chesterfield to the boarded-up windows in St. Louis City, the retail map of the Show-Me State is being aggressively redrawn this year.
Here is the breakdown of the retail shakeup expected to hit Missouri in 2026.
The Mall Funeral: Chesterfield Mall
The most visible story of 2026 is happening off Highway 40 in St. Louis County.
- The Demolition: The Chesterfield Mall is gone. 2026 marks the aggressive demolition phase, clearing the massive site to build "Downtown Chesterfield," a $2 billion mixed-use city center.
- The End of an Era: For West County residents, this is the final goodbye to the place that defined 1990s shopping. The transition proves that even in one of the state's wealthiest zip codes, the traditional indoor mall model is dead. The future is apartments, offices, and open-air plazas—not food courts.
The "Ghost" Anchor Falls: Macy's at Metro North
In the Northland (Kansas City), a retail oddity is finally closing its doors.
- The Closure: Macy's has confirmed the closure of its store at Metro North Crossing.
- The Context: This location was unique because it stayed open for years even after the original Metro North Mall was demolished around it. It stood as a standalone "ghost" anchor while the new open-air center was built. Its closure in 2026 signals that Macy's is no longer willing to operate on islands, preferring to retreat to fortress malls or exit the market entirely.
- South County Hit: St. Louis isn't immune; Macy's also identified its South County Center location for closure, dealing a major blow to the Mehlville area.
The Discount Collapse: Big Lots
The collapse of the home discount sector is hitting Missouri's suburbs hard.
- The Closures: Big Lots is shuttering stores across the state as part of its bankruptcy restructuring.
- St. Louis Metro: The St. Peters (Suemandy Dr) location is closing.
- KC Metro: The Lee's Summit and North Oak Trafficway stores are going dark.
- Rural/Regional: The Hannibal location is also on the list.
- The Reality: These closures leave 30,000-square-foot vacancies in strip malls that are already fighting to compete with online retailers, removing a key source of affordable furniture for middle-income families.
The Pharmacy Desert: Walgreens in the City
While the suburbs are losing furniture stores, St. Louis City is losing access to healthcare.
- The Retreat: Walgreens is executing a surgical retreat from the city core. Confirmed closures include the stores at McCausland Avenue (Ellendale) and N. Kingshighway (Penrose).
- The Consequence: These closures exacerbate the "pharmacy desert" crisis in North and South City. For residents without reliable transportation, the loss of a neighborhood pharmacy often means relying on mail-order services or taking complex bus routes just to pick up life-saving medication.
The "Zombie" Watch: Independence Center
In Eastern Jackson County, Independence Center enters 2026 on shaky ground.
-
The Status: While not dead, the mall is in a precarious transition. With new ownership trying to pivot toward office space and non-traditional uses, the center is fighting to avoid the fate of Metro North. 2026 is viewed as a critical year to determine whether the remaining anchors can hold the line or the "domino effect" will begin.
The malls of the 90s are becoming dirt piles. The standalone department stores are vanishing. And the neighborhood drugstore is becoming a luxury. The convenience of the past is being replaced by a starker reality: if you want it, you'll likely have to order it online.
Chesterfield Mall Is Gone: $2 Billion Downtown Chesterfield Explained
