OHIO - The "retail winter" is hitting the Buckeye State hard. February 2026 brings a wave of closures that strikes at the heart of Ohio's retail identity—from the bankruptcy of a Columbus-based furniture giant to the final days of a major mall anchor in the Miami Valley.
OHIO - The "retail winter" is hitting the Buckeye State hard. February 2026 brings a wave of closures that strikes at the heart of Ohio's retail identity—from the bankruptcy of a Columbus-based furniture giant to the final days of a major mall anchor in the Miami Valley.Here are the four major retail chains shrinking their Ohio footprint in February.
1. Value City Furniture
In a stunning development for one of Ohio's most recognizable homegrown brands, its parent company, American Signature Inc., has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This move has triggered immediate liquidation sales at key locations across the state.
- Locations to Watch: The closure list includes the flagship-style store in Beavercreek, as well as reductions in the Columbus metro area.
- The Vibe: For decades, Value City was the go-to for affordable home furnishings in Ohio. February serves as the critical "clearance" month, with "Store Closing" signs now plastering windows as the company attempts to liquidate inventory before the quarter ends.
2. Macy's
As part of Macy's "Bold New Chapter" strategy to shed 150 underperforming stores, the department store giant is shuttering its location at The Mall at Fairfield Commons in Beavercreek.
- The Status: The store is currently in the final weeks of its liquidation sale. Shoppers can expect discounts of 60-80% in February as the store aims to go dark permanently by March.
- The Impact: This is a major blow to Greene County's retail sector. Along with the nearby Value City closure, Beavercreek is losing two massive retail boxes in the same month, signaling a significant shift in the local commercial landscape.
3. Rite Aid
After closing hundreds of stores in 2024 and 2025, Rite Aid is executing the final phase of its Ohio departure following its latest bankruptcy proceedings. February 2026 marks the end of the line for the "survivor" stores that had previously remained open.
- Affected Areas: The last standing locations in Ashland and Wooster are set to close their doors this month.
- The Reality: For these communities, this means the loss of a neighborhood pharmacy, forcing prescriptions to be transferred to competitors like Walgreens or CVS, which are often located farther away.
4. Big Lots
Big Lots, headquartered in Columbus, continues to struggle through its own bankruptcy restructuring. February brings a new round of lease rejections that hits the company's home turf.
- Confirmed Closures: The latest "chopping block" list includes locations in Westerville (Schrock Road), Brunswick, and Highland Heights.
- The Trend: The closure of the Westerville location is particularly symbolic, as it sits in the company's backyard. Shoppers in these suburbs should expect aggressive "Everything Must Go" sales throughout the month as the retailer shrinks its footprint to survive.
In summary, February 2026 marks a significant turning point for Ohio's retail landscape, defined largely by the retreat of homegrown brands and the continued erosion of traditional department stores. The bankruptcy of Columbus-based Value City Furniture and the struggles of Big Lots hit particularly close to home, signaling that even local giants are not immune to the current economic headwinds. Combined with Macy's departure from Beavercreek and Rite Aid's final exit from Northeast Ohio, shoppers across the state—from the Miami Valley to the Columbus suburbs—are facing a month of deep discounts and disappearing storefronts.
