OHIO - The retail landscape in Ohio is shifting in 2026. While the "retail apocalypse" narrative has cooled slightly, specific malls and shopping districts are facing significant vacancies this year.
Unlike neighboring Pennsylvania, which is seeing department store anchors fall, Ohio has largely been spared from the latest wave of Macy's closures. However, the state is losing a major luxury anchor in Columbus and seeing a rapid contraction of its hometown discount giant.
Here is the list of stores closing in Ohio malls and shopping centers in 2026.
1. Saks Fifth Avenue (Polaris Fashion Place)
The most significant mall news in Ohio for early 2026 comes from Columbus. Saks Fifth Avenue, a key luxury anchor at Polaris Fashion Place, is reportedly in its final days.
- The Situation: Following the merger of Saks Global and Neiman Marcus, the luxury retailer is consolidating its footprint.
- The Impact: The Polaris location has been identified as a closure target, marking the end of the brand's full-line presence in the market. This leaves a massive vacancy at one of Central Ohio's premier shopping destinations and raises questions about backfilling such a large, upscale space.
2. Macy's (A Surprise Reprieve)
In January 2026, Macy's announced a new wave of 14 store closures nationwide as part of its "Bold New Chapter."
- The Good News: Ohio was not included on this closure list.
- The Context: This comes as a relief to malls like Kenwood Towne Centre (Cincinnati) and Easton Town Center (Columbus). However, it follows the pain of 2025, when the retailer shuttered its locations at Franklin Park Mall (Toledo) and The Mall at Fairfield Commons (Beavercreek). For now, the remaining 18 Ohio stores are safe.
3. Big Lots
The Columbus-based discount retailer is fighting for survival after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. While not typically an "enclosed mall" tenant, Big Lots is a staple of Ohio's retail power centers, and its downsizing is hitting its home state hard in 2026.
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The Closures: Dozens of locations are currently liquidating or have recently closed.
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Affected Areas:
- Toledo Area: The store on Jackman Road.
- Cleveland Area: Locations in Brunswick, Westerville, Highland Heights, and North Olmsted.
- Cincinnati/Dayton: Stores in Centerville and West Chester.
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The Advice: Shoppers with gift cards should use them immediately, as the future of the remaining fleet remains uncertain during the restructuring process.
4. Family Dollar
Parent company Dollar Tree Inc. is continuing its closure of nearly 1,000 stores nationwide. In 2026, this is affecting specific Ohio neighborhoods where leases are expiring.
- The Closures: Recent confirmations include stores in Cleveland (Lake Shore Blvd and W 25th St), Deerfield, and Bellevue.
- The Trend: These closures often leave "retail deserts" in their wake, as these small-format stores served as primary grocery options for many residents.
5. Smaller Mall Tenants
While anchors are the headline, smaller stores within Ohio malls are also quietly exiting in 2026.
- Dayton Mall: The Treasure Trove Collectibles flagship store announced its closure in January 2026, leaving another vacancy in the Miami Township mall.
- Rue21 & Express (The Aftermath): Shoppers walking through malls like Great Lakes Mall or Belden Village in 2026 will still see the empty storefronts from the 2025 bankruptcies of Rue21 and Express. These vacancies remain difficult for landlords to fill, often being converted into temporary "pop-up" shops or storage.