Bad news for Bed Bath & Beyond fans in California: No new stores coming
If you’re a Bed Bath & Beyond loyalist in California, brace yourself: the retailer has made it official — no stores are opening in the Golden State anytime soon.
Marcus Lemonis, Executive Chairman of Beyond, Inc. (the parent company of Bed Bath & Beyond), delivered the news in no uncertain terms. His message? California is simply too expensive, too complicated, and too risky for a brick-and-mortar business.
“It’s not politics — it’s reality,” says Lemonis.
In a statement released by Beyond, Lemonis didn’t sugarcoat his words. He said the decision isn’t about making a political point but about facing the harsh economic reality of operating in California.
The state, according to Lemonis, piles on high taxes, costly fees, and wage requirements that many businesses just can’t afford.
“Even when California announces a budget surplus,” Lemonis said, “it’s built on the backs of ordinary citizens who are paying too much and businesses that are squeezed until they break.”
What does this mean for shoppers?
Before you panic about where to find your new duvet cover or that perfect bathroom organiser, good news awaits. While Bed Bath & Beyond is swearing off physical stores in California, you can still shop online — and, according to Lemonis, shipping will be lightning-fast.
The company is doubling down on a California-specific plan: 24- to 48-hour delivery and even same-day service in some areas. That means you can still fill your cart at BedBathandBeyond.com and get your items without waiting weeks or paying sky-high prices.
A stand for “common sense”
Lemonis framed this move as more than just a business decision — it’s a pushback against what he calls an unsustainable model.
“At Bed Bath & Beyond, our responsibility is to our customers and our shareholders,” he said. “We will not participate in a system that undermines both.”
According to him, businesses should have the chance to succeed, employees should have jobs that last, and customers should have fair prices. California’s business environment, he argues, delivers the opposite.
Beyond, Inc.: more than just bath towels
If you’re wondering who’s really behind this decision, here’s a quick refresher. Beyond, Inc., based in Murray, Utah, owns Bed Bath & Beyond as well as Overstock, buybuy BABY, and other retail brands and websites.
The company’s strategy is clear: lean on online sales, deliver fast, and skip the headaches of costly shopfronts.
Why no stores?
California has a reputation for being tough on businesses — not just big corporations but also mom-and-pop shops.
For a retailer like Bed Bath & Beyond—already restructuring after bankruptcy and relaunching as part of Beyond, Inc.—every decision comes down to dollars and sense (pun very much intended). Opening a physical store isn’t just about signing a lease; it’s about hiring staff, keeping shelves stocked, paying utilities, and complying with local rules. If all those costs stack up too high, profit margins vanish.
The bottom line for Californians
No, you won’t be able to stroll into a Bed Bath & Beyond store in Los Angeles or San Francisco anytime soon.
Lemonis summed it up this way: “We’re taking a stand because it’s time for common sense. Customers deserve fair prices. Businesses deserve the chance to succeed. Employees deserve jobs that last.”
So while Californians won’t see those iconic blue store signs popping up on street corners, Bed Bath & Beyond isn’t leaving you high and dry. It’s just switching fully to an online-only approach in the state, saving both the company and its shoppers from inflated costs.
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