NORTH DAKOTA - The retail landscape across the Peace Garden State is shifting. From the busy corridors of 13th Avenue in Fargo to the shopping districts of Bismarck and the quiet main streets of the western oil patch, the familiar storefronts we see in our towns are changing.
While some areas like West Fargo are seeing new growth, many household names are shrinking their footprints or leaving the state entirely. For North Dakota 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 North Dakota this year.
1. 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 to stabilize its finances.
North Dakota is seeing immediate effects. The location on Main Avenue in Fargo was marked for closure and held liquidation sales to clear inventory. The company is consolidating its footprint to focus on its "Pro" business (selling to mechanics) rather than retail DIY stores. This means other smaller, redundant locations in the state could be consolidated into nearby hubs as the year progresses.
2. Family Dollar
Dollar Tree, the parent company of Family Dollar, is in the middle of a massive store-closure program that will affect nearly 1,000 stores nationwide. In North Dakota, where Family Dollar often serves as a vital general store for rural towns, the impact is significant.
The closures target locations where profitability has declined due to inflation, theft, or shipping costs. While the company has already exited some markets in the state in previous years, the final wave of this restructuring puts the remaining underperforming rural locations under review. If your local store has been struggling with inventory or staffing, it may be next on the list.
3. Walgreens
The pharmacy giant is in the midst of closing roughly 1,200 stores nationwide to cut costs. While North Dakota doesn't have the density of major metropolitan areas, the "optimization" plan is active here.
Walgreens is focusing on closing locations that are not profitable enough to sustain rising labor costs or are too close to other existing stores. Locations in Fargo and Bismarck that face stiff competition from CVS and strong local chains (like Thrifty White) are being evaluated. The company plans to complete these closures by 2026.
4. GameStop
The video game retailer is shrinking fast. GameStop has been aggressively closing stores as it pivots its business model away from physical media and collectibles.
The company is closing a "significant number" of stores at the start of the year. This affects locations across North Dakota, particularly those in older strip malls or secondary markets such as Grand Forks or Minot. The company is focusing on profitability, meaning the small, quiet locations you visited for midnight releases are increasingly likely to be shuttered.
5. 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.
North Dakota has key Denny's locations, often attached to travel centers along I-29 and I-94 (like the Flying J locations). These units are generally safer, but aging standalone roadside units are at risk as the company shifts focus to high-volume, modernized restaurants. The 24-hour diner you rely on during a road trip might be serving its last Grand Slam soon.
6. Foot Locker
If you buy sneakers at the mall, you might need to find a new spot soon. Foot Locker is in the middle of a massive pivot, closing as many as 400 underperforming stores by 2026.
Their new strategy involves moving away from smaller, older mall-based stores. This puts the spotlight on locations in regional hubs, such as West Acres Mall (Fargo). While West Acres remains a strong mall, Foot Locker is prioritizing larger "power stores" and experiential locations, meaning standard inline mall stores are being reviewed for potential closure.