Murrieta Appliance Store Closes Abruptly Right Before Christmas

MURRIETA, CA — The Howard's Appliances store in Murrieta, located at 39837 Alta Murrieta Drive, was among the stores that abruptly closed on Dec. 6, prompting frustration and confusion for customers and ousted employees.

“We regret to inform you that due to circumstances beyond our control, Howard’s Appliances Inc. will be permanently closing its business operations,” Logistics General Manager Isaiah Padilla said in a notice posted on Facebook.

“Our final day of deliveries and official operations will be Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.”

The store recently sent out Black Friday notices to customers, advertising "a limited number of Doobuster deals on Ranges, Refrigerators, Dishwashers, Washers and Dryers while supplies lasted."

The brand was recently acquired by investment firm S5 Equity, which announced the acquisition in April of 2025.

Howard’s CEO Peter Boutros said at the time that the acquisition “positions Howard’s to grow stronger than ever,” according to a news release.

The chain had been in business for nearly 80 years. Howard's was founded in 1946 when Howard Roach began repairing radios in the back of a sporting goods store in San Gabriel, California. Due to Howard's focus on customer satisfaction, the business grew over the past 75 years to become Southern California's largest and most trusted seller of appliances and mattresses in the region, according to Yelp. It was based in La Habra before consolidating to a new headquarters last year in City of Industry, according to the Register, which reported Howard’s ran at least 17 stores before the acquisition.

As of Sunday, the company’s website was down.

“My parent just ordered a new range from Howard's and then saw this morning they are all closing? They haven't received the range yet, and apparently, all the stores are closing as of tomorrow,” one Reddit user on the r/orangecounty subreddit wrote. “My mom called 4 different stores and no one is picking up.”