Here is the definitive guide to the major store closures confirmed for California in 2026.
1. The Anchor Loss: Macy’s
The Headline: Two major malls lose their department store anchor. Locations Closing: West Valley Mall (Tracy) and Grossmont Center (La Mesa).
As part of its "Bold New Chapter" strategy, Macy’s confirmed the closure of two significant California locations in early 2026.
- Tracy: The closure at West Valley Mall is a major blow to this Central Valley hub. City officials have noted that while the mall remains open, the loss of such a large anchor will force a rethink of the property's future.
- San Diego County: The location at Grossmont Center in La Mesa is also shuttering. This aligns with the mall’s long-term redevelopment plans, which aim to transform the site into a massive residential and mixed-use district, signaling the end of the traditional department store era for this property.
2. The Discount Collapse: Big Lots
The Headline: A massive retreat from the Golden State. Locations: Statewide (75 locations confirmed).
California is bearing the brunt of the Big Lots bankruptcy restructuring. The discount chain is closing roughly 75 of its 109 locations in the state, a massive reduction that leaves huge holes in strip malls from Sacramento to San Diego.
- The Impact: This is one of the largest single-year retail exits in California history. Vacancies are opening up in key power centers in Fresno, Riverside, and the Bay Area.
- The Timeline: Liquidation sales are active, with most of these stores expected to go dark by the spring.
3. The Pharmacy Crisis: Walgreens & CVS
The Headline: The Bay Area continues to lose drugstores. Locations: San Francisco (Van Ness Ave), Oakland, and Richmond.
The "pharmacy desert" issue is deepening in Northern California.
- Walgreens: As part of its national plan to close 1,200 stores, the company has targeted additional locations in the East Bay, specifically in Oakland and Richmond.
- CVS: Competitor CVS is also shrinking its footprint, confirming the closure of its prominent location at 701 Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco in February 2026. This leaves the city with a significantly reduced network of pharmacies compared to just five years ago.
4. The Mall Demolition: Redlands Mall
The Headline: The "Zombie Mall" finally comes down. Location: Redlands (Inland Empire).
After sitting vacant and decaying for over a decade, the Redlands Mall is finally seeing physical action in 2026.
- The Status: Demolition crews are actively tearing down the remaining structures this month.
- The Future: The site is being cleared to make way for a new mixed-use pedestrian village. For locals who remember the mall's glory days, 2026 marks the definitive physical end of that era as the land is prepared for housing and open-air retail.
5. The Luxury Bankruptcy: Saks Global
The Headline: High-end retail faces a reckoning. Locations: Statewide (Saks Off 5th closures pending).
In a shock to the luxury market, Saks Global (parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks Off 5th) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in early 2026.
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The Impact: While the main Saks Fifth Avenue stores (like those in Beverly Hills or San Francisco) are likely to be preserved, the discount arm, Saks Off 5th, has announced a wave of closures starting in January. California, with its high concentration of these outlet-style stores, is expected to see several locations shutter as the company attempts to restructure its debt.
What This Means for CA Shoppers
Mall Evolutions: The situations in La Mesa (Grossmont) and Redlands prove that California is moving faster than any other state toward "housing-first" retail centers. Expect to see more malls proposing apartments where parking lots used to be. Prescription Planning: If you live in San Francisco or Oakland, verify your pharmacy's status. The rapid closure of Walgreens and CVS locations has led to confusion, with prescriptions ending up at stores miles away.
