Will Macy’s in Sunrise Mall be among store closures?

By Sara Beth Williams–
Macy’s Inc. recently announced an increase in the number of stores previously expected to close, prompting questions as to whether the company’s Sunrise Mall location will be among those to close.

The company announced in a third quarter financial earnings call that it plans to close 65 stores this year, an increase from the 50 locations it previously announced it would shutter by the end of the fiscal year. The closures are part of a plan to eliminate roughly 150 “underperforming stores over the next three years.”

In an email statement to The Sentinel Tuesday, Macy’s Inc. Senior Director of External Communications Orlando Veras confirmed that the company does expect to close roughly 65 locations this year “after the holidays” but said a final decision on specific locations has “yet to be made.” As well, no specific closure date was provided.

“Our Bold New Chapter strategy is designed to create a more modern Macy’s, Inc. and revitalize the Macy’s brand to enhance the customer experience,” Veras said, also adding that the company will close 150 locations throughout the next three years.

Macy’s at Sunrise Mall has experienced several hardships in the last year, with multiple instances of reported retail theft and, most recently, water damage occurring inside the store.

On Tuesday, an employee told The Sentinel one of the restrooms on the second floor of Macy’s Men’s flooded over the weekend, and a “deluge” of water leaked onto the first floor.

A small cordoned-off section just inside the Macy’s Men’s entrance with a large fan running in the background did not stop multiple shoppers from browsing and buying merchandise mid-day Tuesday. A sign positioned outside the entrance indicated to customers that the store was still open.

The employee said local Macy’s customers are “loyal clientele” who don’t want to travel to the Galleria in Roseville, and could not confirm if or when the store might close.

Sunrise MarketPlace Executive Director Kathilynn Carpenter said Monday that she had not received any confirmation as to whether Macy’s at Sunrise Mall will close, but said the store’s lease expires at the end of 2026.

U.S. retailers have announced more than 7,100 store closures through the end of November 2024, according to a CBS news report, representing a “69 percent increase” from the same time last year. 43 retailers have filed for bankruptcy protection so far this year, compared with 25 retail bankruptcies in all of 2023, according to data published from research firm CoreSight.

The company’s announcement of nation-wide closures comes amidst a recently proposed amendment to the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan, a 147-page document with guidelines for future redevelopment of the nearly 100-acre mall property. The Sunrise Tomorrow plan was approved by the Citrus Heights City Council in 2021.

The amendment request, submitted by Ethan Conrad properties proposes the allowance of eight quick-service restaurants and drive-thru businesses, building and landscape materials sales, light industrial and storage uses, and automotive uses, as well as the removal of requirements for open space, according to the city’s Oct. 1 announcement.

The city is planning to hold a public meeting on Jan. 22, 2025 at 6 p.m. “to review and provide direction” regarding the amendment proposal to the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan. The meeting will be held at the Citrus Heights Council Chambers inside City Hall, located at 6360 Fountain Square Drive.

Macy’s was established in 1858 and has been labeled as the “Great American Department Store,” with 740 stores operating coast-to-coast and online.