Kohl’s has rocked its loyal customer base by announcing the closure of 27 “underperforming” stores by April 2025 in a dramatic move to streamline operations. Among the hardest hit? Duluth, Georgia; San Luis Obispo, California; and Pottstown, Pennsylvania—all now facing shuttered storefronts.
Kohl’s at Paxton Town Centre near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on April 18, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
According to the company’s website, these stores will officially close by March 29. All three display the same unsettling message: “This store will be closing soon. Our last day of business at this location will be Saturday, March 29th.”
Stores on life support—reduced hours, final days, and fading services
In a grim countdown to closure, all three locations have slashed hours—open only Thursday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and shuttered the rest of the week.
Yet, for now, core services such as Amazon returns, EV charging, used clothing drop-offs, and pickups continue—ghosts of normalcy in stores already winding down.
The Kohl’s logo is displayed on a smartphone on March 10, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Behind-the-scenes shakeup: Fulfillment center shut down as closures escalate
As the store shutdowns unfold, Kohl’s dropped another bombshell—confirming on January 9 it will close its San Bernardino, California E-commerce Fulfillment Center in May when the lease expires. The site, active since 2010, is being phased out for improved efficiencies.
“While Kohl’s continues to believe in the health and strength of its profitable store base, these specific locations were underperforming stores,” the company stated.
A shopper at Kohl’s in California on September 5, 2020 | Source: Getty Images
‘Tough decisions’ and tearful goodbyes—CEO speaks as employees face uncertain future
Meanwhile, CEO Tom Kingsbury attempted to strike a solemn tone, stating: “We always take these decisions very seriously.” He called the move vital to the company’s “long-term growth strategy”, saying it was necessary to protect both customers and staff.
Kohl’s confirmed that all employees at impacted stores have been notified. They’ve been offered severance or reassignment, with the company thanking them for their service and pledging support during the transition.
Kohl’s in Lincolnwood, Illinois, on March 1, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
The dominoes fall—Kohl’s closures ripple across 12 states, leaving towns bracing for impact
The remaining 24 stores targeted in this sweeping shutdown span 12 U.S. states, sparking local devastation from coast to coast.
In Alabama, Spanish Fort is saying goodbye. Arkansas loses Little Rock West. California is hit the hardest—with shutdowns in Balboa (San Diego), Encinitas, Fremont, Mountain View, Napa, Pleasanton, Point West (Sacramento), San Rafael, and Westchester.
Kohl’s in San Rafael, California, on April 25, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Colorado’s Arapahoe Crossing store in Aurora is on the chopping block. Idaho will lose its Boise branch. Illinois faces the closure of Plainfield and Spring Hill (West Dundee). Massachusetts says farewell to Stoughton. New Jersey’s East Windsor store is out.
Ohio’s Blue Ash and Forest Park (Cincinnati) are done. Oregon’s Portland Gateway, Texas’s North Dallas, and Utah’s Riverton will also shut down. Finally, Virginia will see closures in Herndon and Williamsburg.
Retail apocalypse? Joann joins the collapse with mass closures across 49 states
Kohl’s isn’t alone in pulling back. On February 12, yet another iconic chain revealed grim news. Joann, the beloved fabric and craft store of eight decades, is reportedly shuttering hundreds of locations across 49 states—following its second bankruptcy filing in early 2025 after going private, just one year after its initial 2024 bankruptcy.
Joann Fabrics and Crafts store | Source: Getty Images
End of an era: Joann shutters 500+ stores after 80 years—communities left reeling
Founded in Cleveland, Ohio, Joann blossomed from a single shop into a powerhouse in the fabric, sewing, and craft world. But now, the chain is in freefall—closing around 500 of its 850 stores, a stunning blow for customers and employees alike.
In a statement to USA TODAY, the company said it aims to “right-size its store footprint,” adding: “This was a very difficult decision to make, given the major impact we know it will have on our Team Members, our customers and all of the communities we serve.”
Closures were based on performance and potential: “A careful analysis of store performance and future strategic fit for the Company determined which stores should remain operating as usual at this time,” the statement further read.
An official list wasn’t released publicly, but court filings reveal 533 stores will close, leaving Hawaii as the only state untouched.
A Joann Fabrics store with a price check scanner and stocked aisles | Source: Getty Images
Which states are hit hardest? Joann closures leave a trail of heartbreak coast to coast
California is the biggest casualty, losing 61 stores. Florida follows with 36, while Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania each face 33 closures. Illinois will lose 26, New York drops 24, Washington says goodbye to 21, Indiana loses 20, and Massachusetts is left reeling from 19 shutdowns.
Bankruptcy bombshell: Joann files Chapter 11, launches desperate bid to survive as iconic brand teeters on the edge
The sweeping closures are part of Joann’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, which the company voluntarily filed on January 15, 2025, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
Joann said the move is designed to “facilitate a sale process to maximize the value of its business.” Despite the filing, Joann stores and Joann.com remain open, and workers are still receiving wages and benefits.
Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, LLC has stepped in as a “stalking horse” bidder, setting a baseline for Joann’s assets—though higher and better bids are still being sought. An auction may follow if qualifying offers are submitted.
Interim CEO Michael Prendergast cited “significant and lasting challenges in the retail environment,” along with financial woes and supply chain struggles.
“After carefully reviewing all available strategic paths, we have determined that initiating a court-supervised sale process is the best course of action to maximize the value of the business,” he said.“We hope that this process enables us to find a path that would allow JOANN to continue operating as a going concern.”
‘Committed through chaos’—Joann vows to stand by its crafters and workers amid financial freefall
Prendergast praised the unwavering dedication of Joann employees, commending their efforts in serving customers and staying true to the company’s mission—even through years of relentless hardship.
