LOUISIANA - As the carnival season kicks into high gear, Louisiana's retail and dining landscape is seeing a sobering contraction. While locals are preparing for Mardi Gras parades, several national brands and high-profile local eateries are quietly shuttering their windows.
From a complete exit by a popular boutique chain to the closure of a celebrity chef's newest venture, here is the breakdown of the major closures hitting the Pelican State this February.
1. Francesca's
- The Status: Total Market Exit
- The Impact: In the most significant retail development of the month, the national boutique chain Francesca's is reportedly closing all its Louisiana locations. This includes its prominent storefronts at the Mall of Louisiana and Perkins Rowe in Baton Rouge.
- Why: The retailer is shifting to a digital-first model after facing continued financial headwinds. "Going Out of Business" sales have been active throughout late January, with final closures expected by mid-February. Shoppers holding gift cards should use them online immediately, as physical stores will likely be closed before the month ends.
2. 34 Restaurant & Bar (New Orleans)
- The Status: Permanent Closure
- The Impact: The New Orleans culinary scene has been rocked by the sudden closure of 34, the Portuguese-inspired restaurant by Emeril Lagasse. Located in the CBD, the restaurant's final service was scheduled for January 31, leaving it conspicuously dark as February begins.
- Why: Despite the star power attached to the name, the Emeril Group cited "high operating costs" and the challenging current economic environment for restaurants as the primary reasons for pulling the plug after just 15 months. Employees are being offered transfers to Lagasse's other NOLA properties, such as Meril and Emeril's.
3. Macy's (Acadiana Mall)
- The Status: Strategic Downsizing
- The Impact: As part of its "Bold New Chapter" initiative to close 150 stores by 2026, Macy's has identified the Acadiana Mall location in Lafayette for closure.
- Why: The department store giant is shedding "underproductive" locations to focus on its profitable stores and luxury brands like Bluemercury. For Lafayette shoppers, this signals a major blow to the Acadiana Mall, as it loses a key anchor tenant that has defined the center for years.
4. Walgreens
- The Status: Quiet Fleet Reduction
- The Impact: Louisiana is not immune to Walgreens' massive restructuring, which plans to close 1,200 stores nationwide over three years. While the company has stopped releasing public "hit lists" to avoid panic, customers in New Orleans and Shreveport have reported reduced pharmacy hours and inventory consolidation at specific branches this month.
- Why: The chain is battling low reimbursement rates for prescriptions and stiff competition. Patients should pay close attention to notices in their prescription bags, as "automatic transfers" to nearby locations are becoming common.
A mix of national strategy and local economic reality defines February 2026 in Louisiana. The exit of Francesca's removes a staple of women's retail from the State major shopping centers, while the closure of Emeril's 34 proves that even the biggest names in food aren't immune to rising costs. Meanwhile, Lafayette faces the long-term challenge of filling the massive void left by Macy's at the Acadiana Mall.
