SOUTH CAROLINA - The "retail winter" is sweeping through the Palmetto State. February 2026 brings a mix of national bankruptcy fallouts and unique regional buyouts that are reshaping South Carolina's commercial landscape—from the loss of discount hubs in the Midlands to a massive coffee shakeup affecting drive-thrus statewide.
Here are the four major retail chains that shrunk (or shifted) their South Carolina footprint in February.
1. Big Lots
Following its bankruptcy restructuring, Big Lots is aggressively pruning its footprint in South Carolina. While the retailer has struggled nationally, February marks the end of the line for specific locations identified as "underperforming" in the company's asset review.
- Confirmed Closures: The list of stores shuttering includes the locations in Aiken (Pine Log Road), Chester (J A Cochran Bypass), and Newberry (Wilson Road).
- The Status: These stores are in the final stages of liquidation. Shoppers can expect "Everything Must Go" sales to dominate the month as the company races to vacate these strip mall locations before spring.
- The Impact: In smaller towns like Chester and Newberry, Big Lots often serves as a primary alternative to department stores. Its exit leaves significant vacancy gaps in local shopping centers.
2. Walgreens
As part of Walgreens' massive plan to close 1,200 stores nationwide to improve profitability, the chain has targeted a key location in the state capital.
- Location Closing: The store at 6500 Garners Ferry Road in Columbia (near the Dorn VA Medical Center) is ceasing operations.
- The Reality: While the closure date was set for late January, residents will feel the void for the entire month of February. This is a significant blow to the eastern Columbia corridor, forcing veterans and locals to transfer prescriptions to the location further down Garners Ferry or switch to competitors like CVS.
3. Clutch Coffee Bar
In a unique twist, an entire chain is disappearing from South Carolina in early 2026—but not due to bankruptcy. Clutch Coffee Bar has closed all its Carolinas locations as part of its acquisition by the Oregon-based giant Dutch Bros Coffee.
- The Situation: If you drive by your local Clutch spot this February, you will find it shuttered. Operations have been paused statewide to allow for extensive renovations.
- The Future: These locations will reopen later in the year as fully branded Dutch Bros stands. For now, however, loyalists of the regional "Clutch" brand are left without their morning fix as the familiar signage is stripped away this month.
4. Advance Auto Parts
Advance Auto Parts is in the midst of a "fleet optimization" plan to close over 500 corporate stores nationwide. South Carolina, which has a high density of auto parts stores, is seeing a quiet consolidation this month.
- The Trend: The company is targeting "redundant" stores—retail locations that are located too close to each other. Areas like Spartanburg and North Charleston are seeing smaller, older locations go dark.
- The Shift: The goal is to push customers toward larger "Hub" stores that can better serve professional mechanics. For the DIY car owner, this means your convenient neighborhood stop might be merging with a larger store a few miles down the road.
February 2026 is a month of transition for South Carolina retail. The bankruptcy-driven exit of Big Lots from towns like Aiken and Chester removes a key discount option for rural and suburban shoppers. Meanwhile, the capital city is feeling the sting of Walgreens' retreat on Garners Ferry Road, complicating residents' healthcare access. On a different note, the temporary statewide closure of Clutch Coffee Bar signals the end of a regional favorite, paving the way for Dutch Bros' national dominance later this year.
