WASHINGTON STATE - The retail landscape across the Evergreen State is shifting rapidly. From the rainy corridors of the I-5 stretch to the growing suburbs of the Tri-Cities and the quiet corners of the Olympic Peninsula, the familiar storefronts we see in our towns are changing.
While some areas like Bellevue are seeing new growth, many household names are shrinking their footprints. For Washington shoppers, this means it's time to use those gift cards and prepare for empty storefronts at local plazas. Based on recent bankruptcy filings, corporate restructuring announcements, and ongoing "fleet optimization" plans, here are six major retail chains closing locations in Washington this year.
1. Rite Aid (and Bartell Drugs)
This is the most painful hit for Washingtonians. The Philadelphia-based chain, which acquired the beloved local Bartell Drugs brand in 2020, has been navigating a severe bankruptcy process.
The impact in Washington has been massive. Dozens of locations have already shuttered, and the closures are continuing into this year. Specific closures have recently hit communities from Snoqualmie and Kingston to Yelm and Granite Falls. For many locals, seeing the historic "Bartell Drugs" signs come down or sit dark has been the end of an era. If your local store is still open, check its status immediately, as the "store closing" list changes weekly.
2. Macy's
The iconic department store continues its "Bold New Chapter" strategy to exit struggling malls and focus on its best-performing sites. Macy's has confirmed a new round of closures for early 2026.
In Washington, the primary casualty is the location at Southcenter Parkway in Tukwila. This closure is part of the company's plan to shut down 150 underperforming stores nationwide. As leases come up for renewal, analysts warn that other older mall anchor locations in the state remain vulnerable to sudden closure announcements.
3. Big Lots
The discount furniture and pantry retailer filed for bankruptcy protection and has been aggressively shedding stores to survive. Washington State has been hit hard by these cuts.
Stores in Everett (Evergreen Way) and Lynnwood (196th St SW) have been marked for closure, joining a growing list that has impacted Bellingham, Burien, Kent, and Vancouver. Shoppers looking for bargain patio furniture or home goods should expect aggressive liquidation sales at these locations as the brand wipes out a significant portion of its local footprint.
4. Advance Auto Parts
The auto parts giant is pumping the brakes harder than almost any other retailer this year. Advance Auto Parts announced a massive restructuring plan to shutter over 700 locations nationwide by mid-2026.
Washington is seeing specific cuts, with the store in Leavenworth and locations in the Tri-Cities area (Pasco) and Wapato marked for closure or sale. The company is consolidating its footprint to focus on its "Pro" business (selling to mechanics). This means your local DIY store could be consolidated into a nearby hub, leaving an empty box in the auto strip.
5. Walgreens
While Rite Aid has been the headline story, Walgreens is quietly thinning its own herd. The pharmacy giant is in the midst of closing roughly 1,200 stores nationwide to cut costs.
Closures have specifically targeted the Bremerton area (State Highway 303 NE) and other saturated markets along the Puget Sound. The company is focusing on closing locations that are too close to other Walgreens stores or are not profitable enough to sustain rising labor costs. If you live in a town with two Walgreens within a mile of each other, one will likely shutter this year.
6. Denny's
"America's Diner" is getting harder to find. The chain announced a plan to close roughly 150 underperforming locations nationwide to strengthen its financial health.
Washington has a high concentration of older, roadside Denny's locations. Several of these aging units are at risk, particularly those that have not been renovated in the last decade. The company has stated it is focusing on high-volume locations, meaning the quiet, 24-hour diner you visited in college might soon be serving its previous Grand Slam.
