Downtown Los Angeles just lost its last remaining department store, and shoppers aren’t taking it well.
The historic Macy’s location at The Bloc mall officially shut its doors, marking the first time in more than 150 years that the district has no major department store left. Built around the iconic Broadway department store, The Bloc has long been a shopping staple. Macy’s took over in 2015 and held down the fort for nearly a decade before announcing its closure as part of a broader series of store shutdowns.
The closure of Macy’s is more than just another empty storefront, it symbolizes the downfall of what used to be one of LA’s go-to retail zones. And Macy’s isn’t the only brand abandoning ship. The mass retail retreat is turning downtown into something of a ghost town, with once-thriving malls losing their appeal fast. While The Bloc used to draw crowds, it’s now facing serious questions about its future without its department store anchor.
Retail struggles are hitting cities across the country, but the impact is especially sharp in California. Nordstrom recently confirmed the upcoming closure of its Santa Monica Place store, ending a 15-year run. Shoppers are already mourning the loss. One frustrated local, Alina Shraybman, shared on Facebook, “There’s nowhere left to shop on the Westside. What happened to my beautiful city of SM?”
It’s part of a bigger national trend. Experts are warning that the U.S. could see up to 45,000 retail stores close within the next five years. Chains like Foot Locker are trimming hundreds of locations, while names like Bed Bath & Beyond have already shifted to an online-only model after shutting all brick-and-mortar stores. Tuesday Morning and Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams didn’t survive 2023 either, filing for bankruptcy as foot traffic continued to drop.
Even high-end retail isn’t safe. California has seen stores like Bloomingdale’s in San Francisco’s Union Square go dark after nearly two decades. Nordstrom’s flagship store in San Francisco, once a crown jewel, permanently closed in 2023 after 35 years. Brands like Rolex and Panerai have also pulled out, along with familiar names like Michael Kors and Walgreens. The domino effect continues.
As retail giants vanish from city centers, the impact on local economies is growing clearer. Malls without anchor stores struggle to draw in foot traffic, and other tenants start jumping ship. Some locals are already saying Santa Monica Place might be “done” once Nordstrom leaves, while others lament how the mall they used to love has gone “downhill.”
According to Nordstrom execs, the decision to close their Santa Monica store was strategic. They believe they can serve their customers better elsewhere. Still, that’s cold comfort to shoppers who’ve spent years browsing the racks at that location.
Meanwhile, UBS predicts the total number of U.S. retail stores will shrink from 958,000 to 913,000 in the next five years. It’s not all doom and gloom though, brands like Walmart, Target, Costco, and Home Depot are still expected to thrive, largely thanks to their broader appeal and value-driven business models.
But for downtown Los Angeles, the departure of Macy’s isn’t just about business strategy, it’s the end of a retail era. Once bustling shopping centers are turning into shells of their former selves, and many residents are left wondering if their neighborhoods will ever bounce back. As more brands ditch their physical locations in favor of e-commerce or more profitable markets, downtown LA’s future as a shopping hub looks uncertain.
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