5 Major Retail Chains Announce Closings in Washington State: April 2026

Here are the 5 major retail chains scaling back or closing their doors in Washington this month.

1. Eddie Bauer: The Total Brick-and-Mortar Exit

In a move that carries deep local significance, the Seattle-founded outdoor giant Eddie Bauer is concluding its total physical retail exit this month. After over a century of brick-and-mortar operations starting in 1920, the brand’s North American retail operator is liquidating all physical stores following a February 2026 bankruptcy filing.

• The Washington Impact: This hits 11 locations across the state, including high-traffic spots at University Village, Westfield Southcenter, Alderwood, and the Tacoma Mall.
• The Shift: The company is permanently shuttering its Seattle headquarters on April 30 and transitioning to a digital-only and wholesale model. For Washingtonians who have relied on the brand for over 100 years, the "try-it-on" experience is officially over.

2. Macy’s: The "Bold New Chapter" Consolidation

Macy’s is accelerating its national "Bold New Chapter" strategy this April, which involves closing 150 underperforming stores by the end of 2026. This month marks a major milestone for the chain’s Washington footprint.

• Targeted Locations: Clearance sales are reaching their conclusion for the Tukwila (Southcenter Pkwy) location. Other Washington units on the 2026 "to-close" list include sites at South Hill Mall in Puyallup, the Redmond Furniture Gallery, and Kitsap Mall in Silverdale.
• The Goal: The brand is reinvesting capital into its high-performing "Reimagine" stores while moving away from secondary mall locations that have seen declining foot traffic.

3. Big Lots: The Final Washington Liquidation

After years of financial turbulence and a high-profile bankruptcy, the final remnants of Big Lots are disappearing from the Washington map this April.

• The End of an Era: The state's final six locations—including Tacoma, Vancouver, Kennewick, and Yakima—are finishing their "everything must go" sales this month.
• The Fallout: For many Washingtonians, Big Lots was a primary source for affordable furniture and seasonal home goods. By the end of April, the brand will have no physical presence remaining in the state.

4. Walgreens: The Pharmacy Optimization

Walgreens is moving into the final stages of its multi-year "optimization program," with another wave of Washington closures hitting this April. The chain is shuttering approximately 1,200 stores nationwide to combat declining reimbursement rates and persistent labor shortages.

• The Impact: Washington has been identified as a key state losing stores this spring. Closures are targeting older urban locations where leases are expiring and operational costs have outpaced revenue.
• The Strategy: The company is shifting resources toward high-volume digital fulfillment and larger "primary care" healthcare hubs, which unfortunately leaves some local neighborhoods as "pharmacy deserts."

5. Cascade Farm and Outdoor: The Specialty Retreat

In a move that hits rural and farming communities especially hard, Bi-Mart is closing all of its Cascade Farm and Outdoor locations this spring.

• The Local Context: These specialized hubs provided essential gear for ranching, farming, and outdoor work. The closures mark a significant shift for the employee-owned Bi-Mart as it consolidates its operations.
• The Shift: Management cited the rising cost of maintaining specialized, large-format inventory, opting to fold their efforts back into the core Bi-Mart membership stores.

Why Is This Happening in Washington?

Washington presents a unique challenge for major retailers in 2026:

1. The "Seattle-Digital" First Effect: With a population highly comfortable with same-day delivery and mobile ordering, traditional department stores like Macy's and apparel giants like Eddie Bauer are finding it difficult to justify high-rent physical footprints.
2. Logistics Consolidation: Retailers are realizing that maintaining massive, centralized storefronts is less efficient than smaller, automated fulfillment hubs located on the outskirts of major metros.
3. Real Estate Transformation: In high-growth areas like Bellevue and the South Sound, the land beneath these older retail centers is often worth more as high-density residential units or tech campuses than it is as traditional retail space.

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Note: Many of these closures are location-specific. It is always best to check the official store app or local listings before heading out to use any remaining gift cards or rewards points.