SOUTH CAROLINA - South Carolina's economy is booming, but the retail map is being redrawn. While new factories are opening in the Upstate and tourists are flocking to the coast, the "middle" of the retail market is collapsing. 2026 is shaping up to be a year of consolidation, with national brands swapping out local favorites and struggling chains finally pulling the plug on underperforming locations.
From a major pharmacy exit in Columbia to the rebranding of a beloved coffee chain, here are the 5 major chains shrinking or changing their footprint in the Palmetto State this year.
1. Walgreens (The Garners Ferry Blow)
The "pharmacy desert" issue has arrived in Columbia.
- The Closure: As part of its national plan to close 1,200 stores, Walgreens has confirmed the closure of its location at 6500 Garners Ferry Road in Columbia, set for late January 2026.
- The Impact: This is a significant loss for the community near the Dorn VA Medical Center. It forces veterans and residents—many of whom walk to this location—to transfer prescriptions to competitors or travel further down the congested corridor.
- The Trend: Walgreens is actively pruning stores that are too close to each other, and this busy commercial strip was a prime target.
2. Clutch Coffee Bar (The Dutch Bros Takeover)
This isn't a bankruptcy; it's a conquest.
- The News: Clutch Coffee Bar, a regional favorite with a cult following in the Carolinas, is disappearing in 2026.
- The Shift: Following an acquisition by the Oregon-based giant Dutch Bros Coffee, all Clutch locations in South Carolina are being temporarily shuttered to undergo a massive rebrand.
- The Vibe: When they reopen, the "Clutch" name will be gone. Locals will trade their familiar menu for Dutch Bros' signature "Rebel" energy drinks and loud music. It marks the end of a homegrown era and the official arrival of the West Coast energy drink wars in SC.
3. Big Lots (The Rural Retreat)
The discount furniture giant is leaving the small towns that relied on it most.
The Situation: After a chaotic bankruptcy restructuring, Big Lots is continuing to close stores that aren't hitting aggressive profit targets.
The Locations: The axe has fallen on locations in Aiken, Chester, and Newberry.
The Reality: In growing cities like Greenville, a store closing is a blip. But in places like Chester, losing Big Lots means losing a primary source for home goods and groceries. These closures leave massive vacancies in older strip malls that may sit empty for years.
4. Advance Auto Parts (The "DIY" Saturation)
If you think there are too many auto parts stores in Spartanburg, corporate agrees.
- The News: Advance Auto Parts is planning to close over 500 corporate stores nationwide by mid-2026.
- The SC Impact: South Carolina is an "oversaturated" market for the chain. Expect closures targeting "redundant" stores in the Upstate (Spartanburg/Greenville) and North Charleston—specifically where two locations are within a few miles of each other.
- The Strategy: The company is shifting focus toward serving professional mechanics rather than the DIY crowd, meaning your local corner store might be the one to go dark.
5. Family Dollar (The Route 1 Correction)
The dollar store boom has finally busted.
- The News: Parent company Dollar Tree is closing hundreds of Family Dollar stores to fix profitability.
- The SC Impact: The cuts are hitting older, messier stores in rural areas. Locations like the one in Clearwater (Jefferson Davis Hwy) have already faced the "Store Closing" banners.
- The Consequence: For many low-income residents in these areas, Family Dollar served as the de facto grocery store. Its departure widens the food desert gap in Aiken and Edgefield counties.
