WISCONSIN - The retail landscape in the Badger State is undergoing a significant shift this spring. A combination of national bankruptcy liquidations and corporate restructuring has led to several high-profile departures across Wisconsin. From the busy shopping districts of Milwaukee and Madison to the popular outlet centers in Johnson Creek and Baraboo, several major brands are finalizing their exits.
Here are the five major retail chains closing doors in Wisconsin.
1. Eddie Bauer
Following its bankruptcy filing earlier this year, the outdoor apparel veteran is exiting the physical retail space across North America. Without a buyer to maintain the brick-and-mortar operations, all stores are scheduled to close by April 30, 2026. This marks the end of an era for the brand in Wisconsin, affecting eight long-standing locations including:
- Appleton
- Baraboo (Outlets at The Dells)
- Johnson Creek (Johnson Creek Premium Outlets)
- Madison (West Towne Mall)
- Wauwatosa (Mayfair)
2. Big Lots
Following an ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy process and a failure to secure a buyer for several underperforming sites, Big Lots is in the final stage of liquidating its Wisconsin footprint. Multiple locations are scheduled to cease operations by the end of this month. Final "Going Out of Business" sales are reaching their peak at several sites, including the prominent location in Eau Claire, as the company prepares to vacate its warehouse-style storefronts by April 30.
3. Express
Following its bankruptcy filing and subsequent restructuring, the fashion retailer Express is "right-sizing" its physical footprint to focus on top-performing flagship stores. While the brand is maintaining a presence in some major hubs, it is exiting several key Wisconsin markets this month. Shoppers will see final closures at:
- Madison (East Towne Mall)
- Baraboo (Outlets at The Dells)
4. Walgreens
The pharmacy giant is continuing its aggressive plan to shutter 1,200 underperforming stores nationwide by 2027. This April, Wisconsin is seeing a targeted round of closures, specifically in areas with high store density where older, low-traffic pharmacies are being consolidated into larger, modernized hubs. While the company has been selective about its announcements, several branches in the Milwaukee and Racine areas with expiring leases are among those slated to cease operations this month.
5. Orvis
The historic outdoor gear retailer is in the midst of closing nearly half of its retail locations nationwide as it pivots back to its "heritage roots" of fly fishing and wingshooting. As part of this downsizing effort, Orvis is shuttering its dedicated retail storefronts in several markets. Wisconsin, known for its strong outdoor community, is seeing a reduction in its physical Orvis footprint this month as the company trims its secondary-market stores to focus on its flagship and online operations.
Important Information for Wisconsin Shoppers
- Final Liquidations: At Eddie Bauer and Big Lots, discounts have generally reached the 70% to 90% range. Be aware that all sales at these closing locations are final, with no returns or exchanges accepted.
- Gift Card Alert: Consumer advocates recommend using any remaining gift cards for Eddie Bauer or Express immediately. Once the final doors lock on April 30, these credits may become void or much more difficult to redeem.
- Prescription Transfers: For closing Walgreens locations, patient records are typically transferred automatically to the nearest surviving branch. Customers should use the Walgreens mobile app or call their local pharmacist to confirm the new pickup location before their next refill.
