Bed Bath & Beyond announced it will not open stores in California as part of its comeback plan, serving the state solely through delivery.
Why it matters: The decision highlights ongoing debates about California’s business environment and regulatory policies.
The details:
- Bed Bath & Beyond filed for bankruptcy and closed all its stores in 2023.
- The company reopened its first location near Nashville on Aug. 8, 2025.
- Executive Chairman Marcus Lemonis stated, “We’re taking a stand because it’s time for common sense. Businesses deserve the chance to succeed. Employees deserve jobs that last. And customers deserve fair prices. California’s system delivers the opposite.”
Despite Lemonis’s assertion that the decision “isn’t about politics,” the statement criticized regulatory policies passed in the state, describing California as “one of the most overregulated, expensive, and risky environments for businesses in America.”
What they’re saying:
- Gov. Gavin Newsom responded on social media, saying, “After their bankruptcy and closure of every store, like most Americans, we thought Bed Bath & Beyond no longer existed. We wish them well in their efforts to become relevant again as they try to open a second store.”
- San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan expressed concern, stating, “This is serious. We are shooting ourselves in the foot and we need to acknowledge that. San Jose is open for business, and we’re doing everything we can to make it easier for our employers to succeed.”
Lemonis has previously faced regulatory challenges in California, including criticism of a law requiring corporations to report greenhouse gas emissions and a clash with San Joaquin County over an oversized flagpole installed without proper permits at a Camping World location.
What’s next: The differing reactions from Newsom and Mahan underscore a broader debate on the measures necessary to support economic growth in California.
