California, August 24, 2025
News Summary
Marcus Lemonis, the Executive Chairman of Bed Bath & Beyond, announced that the company will not reopen stores in California due to the state’s high operational costs and regulatory challenges. This decision coincides with the company’s strategy to launch 300 new neighborhood stores nationwide, beginning with a new concept store in Nashville. Lemonis emphasized that the focus will shift to e-commerce and delivery services for California customers instead, reflecting a broader trend among businesses reassessing their relationship with the state.
California has become a focal point of controversy after Marcus Lemonis, the Executive Chairman of Bed Bath & Beyond, declared that the company will not reopen its retail stores in the state. The announcement was made on August 20, 2025, as Lemonis criticized California’s business environment for being “overregulated, expensive, and risky.” This decision is a significant part of Bed Bath & Beyond’s new comeback strategy, which aims to open 300 new neighborhood stores nationwide, none of which will be located in California.
The first of these new concept stores, named Bed Bath & Beyond Home, opened in Nashville on August 8, 2025, marking the beginning of the company’s efforts to re-establish itself following its bankruptcy and the closure of all its stores in 2023. Lemonis made it clear that the decision to exclude California from their expansion plans is driven by economic factors rather than political motivations, pointing out the high taxes, fees, wages, and regulatory hurdles that create barriers to profitability in the state.
In response to Lemonis’s comments, Governor Gavin Newsom took to social media to mock the relevance of Bed Bath & Beyond, referencing the company’s previous bankruptcy and the closure of its stores. Despite this exchange, Lemonis indicated that Bed Bath & Beyond is willing to serve California customers through delivery options instead of having physical stores. This pivot highlights a growing trend among companies as many are reevaluating their strategies in light of California’s regulatory environment and cost structures.
The debate surrounding this issue reflects broader discussions about the attractiveness of California as a business location. More companies have been relocating or rethinking their presence in the state due to concerns over high operational costs and regulatory constraints. Lemonis has advocated for common sense governance to improve the business climate in California and make it more feasible for retailers to operate.
Amid these challenges, Bed Bath & Beyond is concentrating on its e-commerce platform, aiming to achieve sales growth via online channels without necessitating physical store presence in California. A spokesperson for the Brand House Collective, which oversees Bed Bath & Beyond, confirmed that while the company has plans for further expansion, California will not be included as a part of their roadmap until business conditions improve.
This situation underscores the ongoing debate regarding government regulations and their impact on business. Advocates for tight regulations argue that they protect workers’ rights and ensure a high quality of life, while detractors claim that overregulation stifles economic opportunity and encourages businesses to seek more favorable environments elsewhere.
As Bed Bath & Beyond forges ahead with its business strategy while sidelining California, it remains to be seen how this decision will impact its overall recovery and relationship with consumers in the state.
FAQ
Will Bed Bath & Beyond open stores in California again?
As of now, Bed Bath & Beyond has no plans to open stores in California due to the high costs and regulatory environment. The company will focus on delivery services for California customers instead.
Why did Marcus Lemonis criticize California’s business environment?
Lemonis cited high taxes, fees, wages, and regulatory red tape as significant barriers to profitability for Bed Bath & Beyond in California.
What is Bed Bath & Beyond’s strategy for recovery?
The company’s recovery strategy includes opening 300 new neighborhood stores nationwide and focusing on its e-commerce platform, allowing for product delivery without physical presence in states like California.
Key Features Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Companies Involved | Bed Bath & Beyond |
| State of Concern | California |
| Announcement Date | August 20, 2025 |
| New Store Format | Bed Bath & Beyond Home |
| Store Launch | Nashville (August 8, 2025) |
| Focus of Strategy | E-commerce and Delivery |
| Status of Physical Stores in California | Not reopening |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Business Wire: Statement from Marcus Lemonis
- USA Today: Newsom mocks Bed Bath & Beyond
- KTLA: Bed Bath & Beyond California News
- San Francisco Chronicle: California Stores News
- CBS News: Bed Bath & Beyond Stores in California
- Wikipedia: Bed Bath & Beyond
- Google Search: Bed Bath & Beyond
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bed Bath & Beyond
- Google News: Bed Bath & Beyond
Author: STAFF HERE MISSION VIEJO WRITER
MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER The MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMissionViejo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Mission Viejo, 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 Oso Fit 5K Fun Run and Community Health Fair, Walk Against Drugs & Community Fair, and National Night Out. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce and Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, plus leading businesses in retail and education that power the local economy such as The Shops at Mission Viejo, Capistrano Unified School District, and Amazon Delivery Station. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
