California, August 25, 2025

News Summary

Bed Bath & Beyond has announced it will not reopen its stores in California following its 2023 bankruptcy filing. The company’s executive chairman, Marcus Lemonis, pointed to the state’s challenging business landscape as the main reason. Previously, the retailer operated over 80 locations in California, but ongoing high costs and regulatory burdens have prompted the decision. Despite the bankruptcy, Bed Bath & Beyond’s assets were acquired and have been rebranded as Beyond, Inc., which aims to launch up to 300 new stores nationwide, but not in California.

California

Bed Bath & Beyond, once a prominent name in the retail space, has declared it will not reopen its stores in California following its bankruptcy filing in 2023. The company’s executive chairman, Marcus Lemonis, has cited the state’s challenging business environment as the primary reason for this decision.

Bed Bath & Beyond filed for bankruptcy after unsuccessful attempts to revive its failing business model resulted in overwhelming debt. As a result, all of its stores nationwide were closed. Lemonis emphasized that California presents “one of the most overregulated, expensive, and risky environments for businesses” in the country, making it increasingly difficult to hire employees and provide customers with value. Before the bankruptcy, the company operated over 80 locations in California.

The decision to avoid re-entering the California market is based on practical business considerations, rather than political motivations. While some politicians in California have criticized Lemonis’s remarks, Governor Gavin Newsom’s office responded to the claims, suggesting they believed Bed Bath & Beyond was no longer an active business in the state and wishing them success in any future endeavors.

In recent years, California has seen a trend of high-profile companies expressing dissatisfaction with its business climate. Major firms such as In-N-Out, Tesla, and Chevron have either downsized their presence or moved their headquarters to states with more favorable business conditions, like Texas. This sentiment appears to be backed by data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, indicating that more companies have exited California than entered since 2015.

While critics like Lemonis highlight the barriers businesses face in California, some economists argue the state remains a critical global tech hub, offering numerous advantages that still draw companies and talent alike. For example, despite the lack of physical stores in California, Bed Bath & Beyond’s assets were recently acquired by Overstock.com and have been rebranded as Beyond, Inc., which offers online shopping options specific to Californian consumers.

Bed Bath & Beyond has recently opened its first new store in Nashville and has plans to open around 300 additional locations within the next two years. Following the acquisition, the company relaunched its name and intellectual property to better align with modern consumer needs. However, Lemonis reiterated that the costs and regulations associated with physically expanding in California are significant hurdles.

The discussion surrounding the state’s business climate raises complex issues. California’s corporate income tax structure can be seen as prohibitive compared to Texas’s gross receipts tax system. While the business environment remains a topic of debate, some local leaders, like San Jose’s Mayor Matt Mahan, advocate for efforts aimed at reforming the state’s policies to foster a more business-friendly atmosphere.

Summary of Key Facts

• Bed Bath & Beyond filed for bankruptcy in 2023 and closed all stores nationwide.
• Marcus Lemonis has stated that the company will not reopen stores in California due to the state’s business environment.
• The company previously had over 80 stores in California.
• Recent data indicates more businesses are leaving California than moving in since 2015.
• Beyond, Inc., previously Bed Bath & Beyond, is set to launch around 300 new stores in the next two years.

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Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER

COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.