WEST VIRGINIA — The retail landscape of the Mountain State is undergoing a seismic shift this spring. A combination of national bankruptcies, corporate restructuring, and a pivot toward digital-first models has led to a wave of "Going Out of Business" signs across West Virginia. From rural general stores to suburban pharmacy hubs, these six major chains are significantly reducing their footprint or exiting specific local markets entirely in 2026.
WEST VIRGINIA1. Walgreens: Small-Town Pharmacy Exit
The most pressing concern for many West Virginians this spring is the "pharmacy desert" created by a massive wave of Walgreens closures. As part of a national plan to shutter 1,200 underperforming locations, the chain is exiting several smaller communities where it was often the only nearby drugstore.
- Impacted Towns: Closures have been confirmed in Follansbee, Clendenin, New Martinsville, Mullens, Oceana, and Whitesville.
- The Result: Residents in these areas are seeing their prescriptions automatically transferred to larger hubs in neighboring cities, creating a logistical hurdle for seniors and those with limited transportation.
2. Family Dollar: The Rural Retreat
Dollar Tree, the parent company of Family Dollar, is in the final stages of a plan to close nearly 1,000 stores. In West Virginia, where these stores often serve as the primary "general store" for rural counties, the loss is felt deeply.
- Elkins Liquidation: The Elkins location was among the first to move into full liquidation this year, with inventory sold at steep discounts.
- Rural Statewide: Several other underperforming rural leases are set to expire this spring without renewal, as the company pivots toward larger, multi-brand "Dollar Tree/Family Dollar" combo stores in more populated areas.
3. Kroger: Consolidation in the Kanawha Valley
While Kroger remains a grocery powerhouse in the state, it is executing a "portfolio optimization" strategy that involves closing older, smaller legacy stores in favor of massive regional hubs.
- Kanawha Valley Closures: The stores in South Charleston (Riverwalk Plaza) and Dunbar (Village Plaza) are scheduled to close in June 2026.
- Gassaway Loss: The Braxton County location in Gassaway—previously the smallest store in the Mid-Atlantic region—is also part of this downsizing wave.
- The New Hub: These closures are timed to coincide with the opening of the new $40 million Kroger Marketplace at Park Place, the largest Kroger in the state.
4. Advance Auto Parts: Shifting Gears
Advance Auto Parts is "pumping the brakes" on its retail DIY storefronts to focus more on its commercial business. The company is closing more than 700 locations nationwide to stabilize its finances.
- WV Impact: Closures are primarily targeting the Charleston and Huntington metro areas, where multiple stores were deemed redundant.
- The Strategy: Small neighborhood shops are being consolidated into larger "hub" locations that prioritize selling directly to professional mechanics rather than walk-in hobbyists.
5. Big Lots: Bankruptcy Aftermath
Following its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and subsequent sale, Big Lots is continuing to evaluate its remaining West Virginia stores. While hundreds of stores were saved nationally, the chain is still trimming "low-yield" locations.
- Huntington: The location on US Route 60 has been a primary focus of the ongoing liquidation review.
- Ongoing Sales: Shoppers should watch for "Going Out of Business" banners at older strip mall locations across the state as the new ownership group streamlines inventory.
6. Pizza Hut: The End of the "Red Roof" Era
Mirroring a national trend, Pizza Hut is moving away from its traditional large-format dine-in restaurants. As part of the "Hut Forward" program, 250 units are scheduled to close in the first half of 2026.
- Consolidation: Locations in high-overhead buildings are being closed in favor of smaller, kitchen-only units optimized for delivery apps.
- Community Impact: For many smaller West Virginia towns, the closure of a legacy Pizza Hut represents the loss of a primary family-dining staple that has existed for decades.
The Future of West Virginia Retail
While these closures are a blow to local convenience, they also represent a transition. Large-scale redevelopments, such as the city-led acquisition of the Charleston Town Center, suggest that West Virginia's retail future may lean more toward "mixed-use" entertainment and sports complexes rather than traditional shopping malls.
