MICHIGAN - The "retail winter" is chilling the Great Lakes State. February 2026 brings a wave of closures that strikes key commercial hubs in West Michigan and the Detroit Metro area, impacting everything from major mall anchors to essential neighborhood auto shops.
Here are the four major retail chains shrinking their Michigan footprint in February.
1. Macy's
The biggest retail shakeup in West Michigan this month is the confirmed closure of the Macy's at RiverTown Crossings in Grandville. As part of the department store's "Bold New Chapter" strategy to close 150 underperforming locations, this Grand Rapids-area anchor was named in the Q1 2026 cut list.
- 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 significant blow to RiverTown Crossings. While the mall remains a primary destination, losing a two-story anchor tenant creates a massive vacancy that is difficult to fill in the current real estate climate.
2. Advance Auto Parts
Advance Auto Parts is executing a massive plan to shutter over 500 locations nationwide to stabilize its finances. Michigan, with its deep automotive roots, is seeing several of these closures take effect this month.
- Confirmed Locations: Stores in Battle Creek (Columbia Ave) and Wyoming (28th St) have been identified for closure.
- The Strategy: The company is consolidating "redundant" locations. If you have a local Advance Auto that is just a few blocks from a competitor or another company-owned store, it is likely on the chopping block. February marks the wind-down period for these shops.
3. Big Lots
After a turbulent couple of years involving bankruptcy filings, Big Lots is finalizing its "fleet optimization" in Michigan. February marks the final days for several locations flagged in late 2025.
- Locations to Watch: The wind-down is hitting stores in Burton (Court St) and Shelby Township (23 Mile Rd).
- The Vibe: Shoppers should expect aggressive "Everything Must Go" signs. The retailer is attempting to liquidate furniture and home goods quickly to vacate these leases before the spring season.
4. Walgreens
Following Rite Aid's total exit from Michigan (which completed its wind-down previously), Walgreens is now the one shrinking its footprint.
- The Trend: As part of a national plan to close 1,200 stores, Walgreens is targeting unprofitable locations in the Detroit Metro area.
- The Reality: This is creating "pharmacy deserts" in parts of the city and surrounding suburbs. Residents who previously had two major chains to choose from may now find themselves with no walkable pharmacy options, forcing them to transfer prescriptions to grocery store counters or mail-order services.
February 2026 marks a significant contraction in Michigan's retail sector. The loss of Macy's at RiverTown Crossings is the most visible symbol of the changing times, leaving a massive hole in Grandville's premier shopping center. Meanwhile, the closures of Advance Auto Parts in Battle Creek and Wyoming reflect a broader corporate rightsizing that is hitting the State automotive support network. Combined with Big Lots's continued retreat from the suburbs and the thinning of Walgreens locations in Detroit, Michigan, residents are facing a landscape with fewer discount options and reduced access to essential pharmacy services.
