Dozens Of MA Retail Stores Closed In 2019 Or Will Close In 2020

The brick-and-mortar retail landscape continued its decline in Massachusetts in 2019, with several national chains announcing dozens of store closings by 2020.

Some, such as Kmart, are adding to a list of stores already slated for closure. Others, such as Bed Bath & Beyond, said they're scaling back retail operations.

That doesn't take into account restaurant closures like Friendly's, maybe the most painful loss in New England. Nearly two dozen closed in April, some so suddenly it prompted the U.S. Senate to introduce legislation that would protect employees.

Here's a look some of the national retailers that either have announced Massachusetts store closings by 2020 or closed locations in 2019:

Sears

There are less than a dozen Sears locations left in Massachusetts, and its parent company said 51 more stores are on the chopping block nationwide.

Kmart

Kmart, also owned by the parent company of Sears, closed its Somerville location after nearly 40 years and shuttered a store in Palmer. Expect 45 Kmart locations, including in Acton, to close nationwide by February.

Bed Bath & Beyond

Bed Bath & Beyond, the popular home store with 25 locations in Massachusetts, announced that underperforming locations may close or be relocated in the near future.

A.C. Moore

A.C. Moore will close all stores, the company announced in November. The chain, owned by Nicole Crafts, said it has decided to "exit its retail operations" by closing all A.C. Moore stores "as part of a broader strategic plan." It has 11 Massachusetts locations.

Charlotte Russe

Charlotte Russe announced in March it would shutter all of its stores, including nine in Massachusetts.

Forever 21

Forever 21 announced this fall it would close 178 stores across the country. The announcement came after the company, a staple of the teen retail scene since 1984, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Forever 21 also identified the locations in Massachusetts as three in Boston.

Payless ShoeSource

Payless ShoeSource closed all of its U.S. stores, including dozens in Massachusetts, as part of a bankruptcy filing.

Dressbarn

All Dressbarn stores, including 24 in Massachusetts, will be closing by the end of the year, the company announced. Some locations have already closed. "We have received overwhelming landlord support for our plan, which will allow us to implement our wind-down in a manner that provides the best recovery for our landlords. Further, we are current, and expect to remain so, with our vendors and suppliers," Steven Taylor, Dressbarn CFO, said in a statement over the summer.

Olympia Sports

Olympia Sports started shuttering 22 locations across Massachusetts right as the holiday shopping season ramped up. The closings came as the company worked to shut down 76 stores across the country.

Walgreens

The national pharmacy chain will be closing 200 stores in 2019, the company said in an August SEC filing. A list of locations to close was not released by the company.

Pier 1

The home wares and furnishings chain has plans to close 57 stores by the end of 2019, USA Today reported. A list of locations was not released by the company.