Macy’s, the well-known department store chain, is shutting down yet another one of its historic locations, marking the end of an era for Long Island’s Sunrise Mall.
The store in Massapequa will officially close its doors on April 11, 2025.
This move comes as part of Macy’s ongoing efforts to scale down operations, with the chain also closing two additional locations on Long Island in New Hyde Park and Huntington Station.
Massapequa Location Marks a Sad Farewell to Longtime Customers
Macy’s opened its Massapequa store back in August 1973, the same day Sunrise Mall was unveiled to the public.
Over the years, the store has become a beloved fixture for shoppers in the area.
However, as retail trends change and foot traffic to malls dwindles, this iconic location will no longer be a part of the community.
Once Macy’s exits, Dick’s Sporting Goods will remain the last retailer standing in the now-quiet mall.
The closure will result in 77 employees losing their jobs, as per New York State Department of Labor filings.
It’s another sign of the ongoing struggles faced by department stores across the country.
This closure follows closely on the heels of Macy’s decision to shut down its Philadelphia location, which also made headlines this past weekend.
Part of Macy’s Wider Strategy to Shrink its Retail Footprint
Macy’s decision to close these locations is part of a larger, more aggressive plan to close 150 stores by the end of 2026.
This strategy is aimed at reducing the chain’s physical presence by a third, ultimately leaving the retailer with just 350 stores.
The company announced this bold move in February of the previous year, explaining that it was focusing its efforts on the stores that are performing better and eliminating underperforming locations.
While some closures will happen gradually over the next several months, the company has already begun offering clearance sales with discounts of up to 90 percent off.
Macy’s hopes that these sales will help clear out inventory before the stores shut down for good.
Macy’s Focuses on Revamping and Expanding in Other Areas
Despite the closures, Macy’s has also announced plans to revamp its remaining stores.
The company has already started improving 50 locations, with positive results, as sales have risen at those revamped stores.
In addition to refurbishing existing locations, Macy’s plans to expand its brand with 15 new Bloomingdale’s stores and 30 new Bluemercury outlets.
However, even with these efforts, Macy’s has been feeling the heat as it grapples with a significant decline in sales, a trend that’s been amplified by the rise of online shopping and the shrinking of America’s suburban malls.
Macy’s Faces Financial Challenges Amid Broader Retail Struggles
Adding to its woes, Macy’s recently faced an accounting scandal where an employee hid over $150 million in delivery expenses.
While the company insists this was an isolated incident, it admitted that the error cost them $79 million in their full-year outlook.
The retail giant is one of many facing challenges amid the so-called “retail apocalypse,” which has seen physical stores battle increasing theft and declining profit margins.
This ongoing trend has left Macy’s, along with many other department stores, to rethink their approach to brick-and-mortar locations and their place in the retail landscape.
A Comprehensive List of Macy’s Store Closures Across the Country
As part of its closure strategy, Macy’s is set to shut down locations across various states.
Here’s a look at some of the key locations:
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California: Stores in Chula Vista, Citrus Heights, Corte Madera, and Los Angeles are among those closing.
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Florida: Macy’s will close stores in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Sarasota.
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New York: In addition to Massapequa, stores in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Elmhurst will also shut their doors.
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Pennsylvania: Macy’s in Altoona, Exton, and Wilkes Barre will be closing, along with the notable Philadelphia location.
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Texas: Locations in Dallas, Flower Mound, and Fort Worth will also be shut down.
As these locations close, it’s a sign of how quickly the retail industry is shifting, with many long-established brands like Macy’s struggling to maintain their footing in an ever-evolving market.