OREGON - If your weekly grocery run feels a little more like a game of musical chairs lately, you aren’t imagining it. Spring 2026 is bringing a tidal wave of "Store Closing" signs to the Beaver State, leaving many Oregonians wondering where they’ll grab their milk and eggs by summer.
Oregon Grocery Shakeup: Major Supermarket Closures This Spring 2026
From century-old Portland landmarks to rural staples, the landscape of Oregon's food aisles is undergoing its most aggressive contraction in years. Here is everything you need to know about the supermarkets shuttering their doors this season.
1. The End of a 110-Year Era: Sheridan Fruit Co.
Perhaps the most heartbreaking news for Portlanders is the finality of Sheridan Fruit Company. After surviving world wars, the Great Depression, and the rise of big-box giants, this SE Portland icon officially dimmed the lights on February 13, 2026.
While technically a mid-winter closure, the "grocery desert" ripple effect is hitting hard this spring. Known for its world-class meat counter and bulk bins that seemed to stretch for miles, Sheridan’s departure marks the loss of an independent pillar that defined Portland’s food scene for over a century.
2. The Post-Merger "Clean Up": Kroger & Safeway Closures
Remember that massive Kroger-Albertsons merger that dominated the headlines? After the deal officially collapsed in late 2025, the "Plan B" has been much grimmer for local shoppers.
Kroger (which operates Fred Meyer and QFC) has begun rolling out its plan to shutter 60 "underperforming" locations nationwide by the end of 2026. Oregon, long a stronghold for these brands, is already seeing the first wave of these targeted closures this spring. Without the merger's promised divestiture to C&S Wholesale, corporate is now simply cutting the cord on stores with high "shrink" (retail theft) and low margins.
3. Rural Oregon Hits a Wall: Cascade Farm and Outdoor Shuts Down
It’s not just the big cities feeling the squeeze. In a major blow to rural communities, Bi-Mart announced earlier this year that it is shuttering its entire Cascade Farm and Outdoor division this spring.
While some locations (like the one in Hood River) are being converted back into standard Bi-Marts, the "everything-under-one-roof" grocery and farm model is officially dead. For farmers and rural residents who relied on these stores for both animal feed and family dinner, the spring 2026 shutdown creates a massive void that online shopping can't quite fill.
4. Walmart’s Continued Retreat
Following the high-profile closure of its last Portland city-limit locations, Walmart has continued to evaluate its footprint in the surrounding metro areas. With spring 2026 lease renewals coming up, several "Neighborhood Market" locations in the suburbs are on the chopping block as the company pivots toward its massive fulfillment centers rather than brick-and-mortar grocery.
Why is this happening?
It’s a "perfect storm" of three major factors:
- The Failed Merger: Without the $24.6 billion merger to lean on, Albertsons and Kroger are aggressively trimming "dead weight" stores to stay competitive with Amazon and Costco.
- Operational Costs: Rising labor costs (notably seen in recent New Seasons layoffs) and high utility overhead are making small and mid-sized footprints harder to justify.
- The "Shrink" Factor: High rates of organized retail theft remain the primary reason cited for closures in the Portland metro area.
Pro Tip: If your local store is on the list, keep an eye out for "Going Out of Business" sales starting in late March. It’s a great time to stock up on non-perishables, but a sad reminder of a changing retail world.
Pro Tip: If your local store is on the list, keep an eye out for "Going Out of Business" sales starting in late March. It’s a great time to stock up on non-perishables, but a sad reminder of a changing retail world.