Long-Standing Retail Chain Abruptly Closes All SoCal Stores

Southern California retail chain Howard’s Appliances abruptly closed in recent days, prompting frustration and confusion.

“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 the r/orangecounty subreddit and cited by The Orange County Register.

“Our final day of deliveries and official operations will be Saturday, 12/06/2025.”

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

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, selling appliances and mattresses in the region, the news release said. 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.”

According to the Register, several customers were waiting on outstanding purchases to be delivered at the time of the closure.