The “Retail Reset” has officially hit the Garden State. While New Jersey’s high population density often shields it from the worst of national retail trends, 2026 has kicked off with significant closure announcements that affect some of the state’s most prominent shopping corridors. From the “de-malling” of iconic centers in Monmouth County to the departure of department store anchors in North Jersey, the landscape is changing fast.
Here is the definitive guide to the major store closures confirmed for New Jersey in 2026.
1. The Anchor Loss: Macy’s
The Headline: Two major North Jersey locations go dark. Locations Closing: Livingston Mall (Livingston) and Interstate Shopping Center (Ramsey).
The most headline-grabbing news of early 2026 is the confirmation that Macy’s is closing two New Jersey locations as part of its “Bold New Chapter” strategy.
- Livingston Mall: The departure of Macy’s is a critical blow to this Essex County mall, which has struggled to retain anchors in recent years. The store is currently running liquidation sales and will close its doors permanently by the end of the first quarter.
- Ramsey: The location at the Interstate Shopping Center is also on the closure list. This is notable because it affects a busy Route 17 corridor, signaling that even high-traffic areas aren’t immune to the department store’s fleet reduction.
2. The “De-Malling” Project: Monmouth Mall
The Headline: Demolition paves the way for “Monmouth Square.” Location: Eatontown.
While technically a “redevelopment” rather than a simple closure, the erasure of Monmouth Mall as we know it is the biggest retail story in the state for 2026.
- The Status: Large sections of the mall are currently being demolished to make way for Monmouth Square, an open-air town center concept.
- Who is leaving: While anchors like Boscov’s remain open during construction, dozens of inline tenants have vacated. The transformation involves reducing retail space by 40% to add luxury apartments and a Whole Foods, marking the end of the traditional enclosed mall era for Eatontown.
3. The Discount Exodus: Big Lots
The Headline: A massive retreat from the Jersey Shore. Locations Closing: Freehold, Ocean Township, Glassboro, Millville, Mays Landing.
The bankruptcy restructuring of Big Lots has hit New Jersey harder than almost any other state in the region.
- The Scoop: The chain is closing nearly half of its New Jersey footprint. The closures are heavily concentrated in the shore region and South Jersey.
- The Impact: Major vacancies are opening up in power centers along Route 35 (Ocean Twp) and Route 9 (Freehold). If you have gift cards or furniture warranties with Big Lots, 2026 is the time to resolve them before these locations vanish.
4. The Grocery Correction: Stop & Shop
The Headline: The “optimization” continues. Location Closing: Toms River (Route 9 & 70).
Following a wave of closures in late 2025, Stop & Shop has confirmed additional cuts for 2026 as it battles for market share against ShopRite and Wegmans.
- The Details: The high-profile location at the intersection of Route 9 and Route 70 in Toms River is shuttering.
- The Trend: This closure highlights the intense grocery competition in Ocean County. As discount grocers like Aldi and Lidl expand, traditional supermarkets in older strip malls are finding it harder to sustain profitability.
5. The Dining & Auto Shift: TGI Fridays & Advance Auto
The Headline: Casual dining and car parts see massive fleet reductions. Locations: Statewide (Specific units pending).
Two other major sectors are shrinking in New Jersey this year:
- TGI Fridays: After filing for bankruptcy protection, the casual dining chain abruptly closed nearly a dozen New Jersey locations in January 2026. Expect to see dark storefronts in mall parking lots (pad sites) across Marlton, Princeton, and Wayne.
- Advance Auto Parts: With 115 stores in the state, New Jersey is a prime target for the company’s plan to close 500+ locations nationwide. Closures are expected to target towns where multiple auto parts stores (AutoZone, O’Reilly) are clustered on the same street.
Summary of 2026 Closures
| Retailer | Location(s) | Impact | Status |
| Macy’s | Livingston, Ramsey | Anchor Loss | Closing Q1 2026 |
| Monmouth Mall | Eatontown | Demolition/Redevelopment | Active |
| Big Lots | Freehold, Ocean, South Jersey | Total Market Exit | Liquidation |
| Stop & Shop | Toms River | Supermarket Closure | Confirmed 2026 |
| TGI Fridays | Statewide | Bankruptcy Closures | Closed Jan 2026 |
What This Means for NJ Shoppers
Route 17 Traffic: The closure of Macy’s in Ramsey might temporarily ease some congestion on Route 17, but expect a new tenant (possibly a furniture or entertainment concept) to eventually fill that massive box. Apartments are the New Anchors: The Monmouth Mall project proves that the future of NJ malls isn’t more stores—it’s housing. Expect similar proposals for struggling malls in Phillipsburg and Burlington County later this year.
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