Williams Sonoma To Shutter For Good In Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — Williams Sonoma, the upscale kitchen appliance and cookware store, will shutter for good in Westfield, according to Mayor Shelley Brindle.

"Unfortunately it’s true," Brindle told Patch. "I’ve been told it has been an underperforming store and that the landlord was willing to renegotiate the rent to get them to stay but the decision had been made."

Brindle said the closure of the store on 127 Central Ave. is in keeping with national retail store trends, especially among chains with a significant online presence.

According to Williams Sonoma's 2021 annual report, the chain closed a total of 49 stores in 2021.

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Williams Sonoma owns many other companies, such as Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, PBteen, West Elm, Mark and Graham and Rejuvenation.

Brindle said she is not sure if the Westfield store's exact closing date.

"While it’s disappointing to see a favorite store close with a long history in town, I’m encouraged by the recent number of new downtown store openings that are part of a larger downtown renaissance," Brindle said. "I’m optimistic and hopeful that their space won’t stay vacant for long."

Some recent store openings in Westfield include Mexican restaurant La Bendita, Reves Smoothie Café, Akai Lounge and Francis Henri baby boutique. A total of 30 new businesses opened in Westfield in 2022, according to the mayor's 2022 year in review.

"The Williams Sonoma closing is also a reminder of our need to constantly evolve our downtown to ensure it adapts to the evolving marketplace and remains attractive to a new generation of consumers, something we are attempting to address with the recently introduced One Westfield Place proposal," Brindle said.

HBC Streetworks has proposed a total of 27,000 square-feet of street-level retail as part of the One Westfield Place development. Proponents of the development also hope it will bring more foot traffic to Westfield's downtown.

Read more: Lord & Taylor Development Gets Mixed Response From Westfield Residents

Patch reached out to the owners of Williams Sonoma in Westfield but did not receive a response.

Have a news tip? Email remy.samuels@patch.com.