Several CA Retailers Closing Due To Coronavirus

CALIFORNIA — It's hard to count the number of ways the coronavirus crisis has upended life in California. One of the most visible effects, though, has been the permanent closure of a number of chain businesses across the Golden State.

Many beloved brick-and-mortar retailers, already struggling with the rise of the online economy, are at risk of being wiped out due to coronavirus-related restrictions. Here's Patch's roundup of noteworthy store closures.

Pier 1 Imports

Pier 1 Imports will reopen stores after the coronavirus pandemic forced closures, but only long enough to sell the company's inventory.

The retail chain, which specializes in imported home decor and accessories, announced May 19 that it will close all 541 stores in the country and the company will be liquidated.

Founded in San Mateo in 1962, Pier 1 has dozens of stores across California.

Bath & Body Works

The bath shop chain is closing 50 locations across the U.S., owner L Brands announced last week, although it didn't specify which locations.

Victoria's Secret

Also owned by L Brands, the popular women's lingerie retailer is closing 235 shops, according to the company.

Nordstrom

The Seattle-based department store is permanently closing 16 locations due to the coronavirus, the company announced this month. It hasn't specified which locations.

Specialty's Cafe & Bakery

The well-liked breakfast and lunch chain based in the Bay Area said May 15 it was permanently closing all of its more than 50 locations in three states due to financial difficulties caused by the coronavirus.

"Current market conditions attributed to COVID-19 and shelter-in-place policies have decimated company revenues," owners said. The chain, known for its big cookies and handmade sandwiches, was founded in the Bay Area in the 1980s.

Sweet Tomatoes/Souplantation

The buffet-style restaurant, known as Sweet Tomatoes in Northern California and Souplantation in Southern California, is permanently closing all locations, including 44 in California.

The restaurant suffered even more than some others, owners said, since self-serve restaurants were specifically banned as a public health measure. The closures are putting 4,400 employees out of work.

J. Crew

The preppy clothing store was the first major retailer in the U.S. to file for bankruptcy since the pandemic began, doing so early this month.

The company said it hopes to reopen its brick-and-mortar stores once coronavirus restrictions are lifted and it is safe to do so. As of Feb. 1, there were 193 J.Crew stores, 172 J.Crew factory outlets and 132 locations of Madewell, the denim brand it also owns.

J.C. Penney

It hasn't shut down stores yet, but J.C. Penney's recent bankruptcy filing could result in the closure of about 200 of its 850 stores.

Neiman Marcus

The luxury brand became the latest retail casualty of the pandemic when it filed for bankruptcy in early May. It has seven locations in California.

The closures only exacerbated existing problems within the retailer, which had been struggling with competition from online rivals and dwindling cash before the pandemic.

Full coronavirus coverage: Coronavirus In California: What To Know