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By Mandy Taheri and Gabe Whisnant
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Bed Bath & Beyond's executive chairman, Marcus Lemonis, drew both online backlash and praise on Wednesday after announcing the company will not open retail stores in California.
Why It Matters
Bed Bath & Beyond, once a dominant home goods retailer, filed for bankruptcy in April 2023 after years of declining sales and mounting debt. Its brand was later acquired by Overstock.com, which has since rebranded itself under the Bed Bath & Beyond name as an online-only retailer.
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What To Know
In a Wednesday statement, Lemonis confirmed that the store "will not open or operate retail stores in California."
The statement continued, assuring that the decision is not related to politics but rather "it's about reality," noting that "California has created one of the most overregulated, expensive, and risky environments for businesses in America. It's a system that makes it harder to employ people, harder to keep doors open, and harder to deliver value to customers."
He continued that due to these policies, "Higher taxes, higher fees, higher wages that many businesses simply cannot sustain, and endless regulations that strangle growth. Even when the state announces a budget surplus, it's built on the backs of ordinary citizens who are paying too much and businesses who are squeezed until they break."
He reiterated that the company's responsibility is to its customers and shareholders, stating, "We will not participate in a system that undermines both."
He reiterated that the company's responsibility is to its customers and shareholders, stating, "We will not participate in a system that undermines both." The retailer is instead working to establish a quick delivery service in the state, rather than opening stores there.
What People Are Saying
California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom's office posted on X on Wednesday: "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 2nd store."
Political scientist Norman Ornstein said on X Wednesday: "Is this the same Bed Bath & Beyond that drove itself into bankruptcy?"
American diplomat Richard Grenell reshared the conservative blogger's Right Scoop's post about Bed Bath & Beyond, writing: "@GavinNewsom's California."
The conservative LibsofTikTok account posted on X: "Bed Bath & Beyond's Executive Chairman Marcus Lemonis BLASTS California for its hostile business environment and announces over 300 new stores coming to other states outside California."
Governor Gavin Newsom wrote on his personal X account: "The company that already went bankrupt and closed every store across the country two years ago? Ok."
Micah Efran, who represents Congressional District 7 on the Executive Committee of the Texas Democratic Party and has over 37,000 followers, wrote on X: "Bed Bath & Beyond filed for bankruptcy 2 years ago. I don't think they will be opening many new stores anywhere."
What Happens Next
Instead of opening stores in California, the retailer says it is working to establish a quick delivery service in the state.
Update 8/20/25, 5:55 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 8/20/25, 5:40 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Correction 8/20/25, 5:11 p.m. ET: This article was updated with a new headline and to clarify Marcus Lemonis's role at Bed, Bath & Beyond.
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