NJ Businesses Big And Small Closed Amid COVID Crisis: Here's Who

NEW JERSEY — A retail apocalypse that was already hitting New Jersey hard accelerated in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic.

And as the pandemic dragged on, many were forced to close their doors entirely – even as Gov. Phil Murphy restarted the economy following the March shutdowns – while other businesses were able to weather the storm.

The federal government's contribution of more than $2.4 billion to businesses in New Jersey – all part of the CARES Act in March – did little to save many businesses that had already fallen on hard times.

Read more: Many NJ Restaurants 'On The Brink Of Closing' Amid COVID-19

Unemployment statewide, as a result, hit 16.8 percent in June, according to the US Bureau of Labor. The rate went down each month after, going down to 8 percent in October before rising back to 10.2 percent in December.

But even employment went back up, major retail stores and longtime local businesses alike have not been able to navigate the coronavirus pandemic.

Here’s a look at some chain businesses that closed in 2020:

Ann Taylor

In May, Ascena noted in a release, "COVID-19 has significantly disrupted our business. ... With retail stores making up the majority of our revenue and cash flow, the uncertainty created by COVID-19 requires us to evaluate all options available to protect the business and its stakeholders." This included an iconic Ann Taylor store in Westfield. READ MORE

Justice

Another Ascena store that is closing is Justice. Justice's New Jersey locations — Bridgewater, Cherry Hill, Deptford, Edison, Elizabeth, Freehold, Paramus and Wayne — are slated to shutter by "early 2021." READ MORE

Bed, Bath & Beyond

Bed, Bath & Beyond announced it would close 200 stores as a way to spare the brand between $250 and $350 million annually after one-time costs. The negative economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic were "felt across our business during our fiscal first quarter, including loss of sales due to temporary store closures," owners said. READ MORE

Century 21

Century 21 filed for bankruptcy after nonpayment of approximately $175 million from the company's insurance providers. According to the company, the policies were in place to protect against losses stemming from business interruption, à la COVID-19. READ MORE

Fairway Market

The 83-year-old grocery chain filed for bankruptcy earlier this year. It was forced to sell 14 of its locations, including stores in New Jersey. READ MORE

Gap

Two Gap stores in New Jersey closed in January as part of a previously announced plan to close 230 stores nationwide. Gap management said the stores that closed were either underperforming or no longer fit the vision for the future of the company. READ MORE

Lord & Taylor

Lord & Taylor closed its remaining stores earlier this year after owner Le Tote filed for bankruptcy. In a brief "history" section on the company's website, the company says they are a "store of firsts." READ MORE

Nordstrom

Norstrom closed its store at the Freehold Raceway Mall, one of 16 stores the company closed across the country. More than half of Nordstrom's sales come through online purchases, and the coronavirus has made those purchases more prevalent, the company said. READ MORE

Sears

Sears closed locations in New Brunswick, Livingston, Woodbridge and Moorestown, while owner Transformco also closed the last remaining K-Mart in Monmouth County. READ MORE

Stein Mart

The 112-year-old company announced it was closing its New Jersey stores due to changing consumer spending habits (exacerbated by the global pandemic) and a new economic landscape that fails to provide the business with "sufficient liquidity to continue operating in the ordinary course of business." READ MORE

Sur La Table

Sur La Table closed 50 stores, including two in New Jersey. It said it is thriving in the e-commerce market, and "believes that it is exceptionally well-positioned to thrive in the post-COVID-19 world, as food, cooking and in-home entertainment continue to capture increasing mind share of consumers." READ MORE

Tilton Fitness

Tilton Fitness, which operated seven gyms throughout New Jersey, closed all of its locations due to financial difficulties associated with the coronavirus outbreak. The gyms, operated by Hackensack Meridian Health, had 20,000 members and had been in operation for more than 30 years. READ MORE

Walmart

The Princeton area’s only Walmart, in Nassau Park Pavilion, closed its doors for reasons unrelated to the coronavirus pandemic. It was based more on the store’s overall performance. READ MORE

JC Penney

Department store giant JCPenney will close 242 of its 846 stores over the next two years. The 118-year-old chain based in Plano, Texas, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year. The company said its financial restructuring is due to the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on retailers. READ MORE

Pier 1

Pier 1 said it plans to shut all of its retail stores as soon as possible. Pier 1 has asked the bankruptcy court to cease its retail operations, saying the temporary closures due to the coronavirus pandemic have caused financial ruin on its already shaky status. READ MORE

Bonefish Grill

Bonefish Grill permanently closed its only Somerset County location after its lease expired in October. The chain has 11 other restaurants in New Jersey. READ MORE

Zinburger

Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar closed its Bridgewater and Edison locations after just a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. READ MORE

Zoo Health Club

New Jersey’s gyms were hit hard by the state shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. This included Zoo Health Club, which closed its Bridgewater location due to the effects of the pandemic. READ MORE

There were also small businesses that closed their doors this year.

Cucharamama

A James Beard-award winning restaurant in Hoboken was forced to close due to the pandemic. Marciel Presilla won a James Beard award for Best Chef in 2012 for her work at the restaurant, which closed after being in business for 16 years. READ MORE

The Cassidy

A famous bar in Maplewood closed with a message for its customers: The Pandemic Killed Us. The Cassidy Bar and Kitchen was located on Maplewood Avenue. Their other establishment is in an 1847 farmhouse on Main Street in Gladstone. READ MORE

JC Coffee Factory

A business that was helping to revive Jersey City's West Side Avenue closed its doors for good. The shop opened on the western edge of the the McGinley Square neighborhood, which also includes St. Peter's University, just a little over a year ago, in February of 2019. The historic area is south of the Journal Square PATH station. Within half a year, the coffee house was hosting open mic nights in conjunction with Crystal Letters and Growing in Jersey City. READ MORE

Ruby Tuesday

Citing the pandemic as a reason, the casual dining chain has closed about 200 locations in recent years but still has about 300 open - including four in New Jersey. READ MORE

Modell's

Just before the onset of the pandemic, Modell's Sporting Goods filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and announced it would be closing all locations. READ MORE

Jefre Bridal

After more than 60 years in business, Bridgewater local Jeffrey Rabinowitz retired and closed his beloved bridal dress shop, Jefre Bridal. Despite his retirement, Rabinowitz said he would still take care of the brides by offering alterations even after he is closed. READ MORE

Flaky Tart Bakery

The Flaky Tart, a popular local bakery in Atlantic Highlands, closed, in part, due to a drop in business related to the coronavirus pandemic. It’s among a growing list of Monmouth County businesses that closed due to the pandemic. READ MORE

Espresso Joe’s

Espresso Joe's/Sunshine Cafe, a popular coffee shop on Front Street in Keyport, closed in July due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was known as a place to grab a quick cappuccino or espresso before the morning commute, as a lunch spot and vegan/gluten-free bakery, and as a place to sit and use the WiFi. It also hosted live music from local Bayshore musicians. But what it could not survive was a take-out only world. READ MORE

22 West Tap and Grill

22 West Tap and Grill, a popular Bridgewater restaurant, is temporarily closing. "Due to restrictions caused by the pandemic and the elimination of outdoor dining because of colder weather, our business has slowed to the degree to which we are presently unable to remain open." READ MORE