Bed, Bath & Beyond closing; uncertainty for other stores
Published 6:02 pm Friday, December 15, 2017
- Jim Brock / The Meridian StarIn a scene that looks much like Black Friday, shoppers flocked Friday to the Bed Bath & Beyond location in Meridian, which announced it will be closing soon. A company spokesperson said its “lease term is ending," but would not specify what day the store was closing for good.
With the recent announcement of Bed Bath & Beyond closing soon, rumors continue to circulate about the fate of other area retailers, including Sears.
So far, there is no confirmation that the Sears store at Bonita Lakes Mall plans to close its doors.
“They are not closing to the best of my knowledge,” said Andy Weiner of Rockstep Capital, the owner of the Bonita Lakes Mall.
According to a list released in November by Sears Holdings, the Meridian location was not among the 18 Sears stores slated to close.
Officials with Sears Holdings could not be reached for comment.
As for Bed Bath & Beyond, company spokesperson Leah Drill did not specify when the Meridian store was closing.
“Our lease term is ending for our Meridian location,” Drill wrote in an email. “Customers can shop with us online at www.bedbathandbeyond.com.”
According to a September report from CNN Money, earnings for the second quarter of 2017, about $94 million, dropped from about $167 million in quarter two of 2016.
However, in a press release from the corporate office, the company blamed “unfavorable impacts” of costs for restructuring and damage from Hurricane Harvey, the report said.
While employees at the store have been told not to speak to the media, some expressed their disappointment with the decision.
In other business news, the Kirkland’s location in the mall could be moving soon to another Meridian location.
“The rumor is out there, but I’m not sure what or when something is going to happen,” said Jimmunio Woullard, a manager at the store.
Calls to the Kirkland’s district manager were not returned.
