SOUTH DAKOTA - The retail landscape in the Mount Rushmore State is witnessing a significant "Spring Cleaning" this April. While South Dakota’s economy remains resilient—with Sioux Falls recently seeing a 4% uptick in overall bankruptcy filings—the traditional mall-based retail sector is facing a sharp correction.
Driven by national liquidation events and a strategic shift toward experiential and value-driven brands, several household names are finishing their final sales at the state's largest shopping hubs. From the wings of The Empire Mall to Uptown Rapid, here are the 5 major retail chains closing doors in South Dakota this month.
1. Eddie Bauer: The Empire Mall Exit
In one of the most high-profile retail retreats of 2026, the outdoor heritage brand Eddie Bauer is concluding its total physical retail wind-down this month. After failing to find a buyer during bankruptcy proceedings in February, the company is shuttering its entire North American brick-and-mortar fleet to transition to an online-only model.
- The South Dakota Impact: The Empire Mall (Sioux Falls) location has been in full liquidation mode since mid-February.
- Final Call: As of March 12, 2026, the store has officially stopped accepting gift cards and rewards points. The final doors are expected to close permanently by the end of April, marking the end of the brand's physical presence in the state.
2. Francesca’s: The Boutique Blackout
Following a nationwide liquidation announcement in January, the women’s specialty boutique Francesca’s is reaching the final phase of its total company wind-down. The chain, which once thrived on its "treasure hunt" boutique vibe, is permanently ceasing all operations.
- Targeted Locations: The exit hits both of South Dakota's primary malls: The Empire Mall in Sioux Falls and Uptown Rapid (formerly Rushmore Mall) in Rapid City.
- The Transition: In Sioux Falls, the vacancy is already sparking movement; the former Francesca’s space in the JCPenney wing has been transitioned to Amano Inkas, a boutique specializing in handcrafted alpaca products, signaling the mall's shift toward more niche, artisanal tenants.
3. Claire’s & Icing: Strategic Downsizing
Following a second bankruptcy filing in August 2025, teen accessory giant Claire’s is finalizing a wave of closures designed to "right-size" its footprint. While the brand is being saved by private equity firm Ames Watson, nearly 300 underperforming locations were identified for closure.
- The South Dakota Hit: While the Sioux Falls locations were spared, the Uptown Rapid and Uptown Aberdeen stores have been in the process of winding down.
- The Status: Most of these locations are expected to be fully vacated by mid-April as the company focuses its resources on high-traffic flagship stores and its successful "shop-in-shop" partnerships.
4. Walgreens: "Optimization" Reaches the Plains
Walgreens is continuing its aggressive multi-year plan to close approximately 1,200 stores nationwide by 2027. While the chain has scaled back its 2026 closure list to "under 100 stores," the "footprint optimization" program is still targeting older urban pharmacies with expiring leases.
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The Trend: In South Dakota, the company is shifting away from standalone corner pharmacies in favor of larger "health hubs" with expanded clinical services. This has led to the quiet closure of several older branches in the Sioux Falls and Rapid City areas this spring as records are transferred to nearby primary locations.
5. Orvis: Outdoor Luxury Retreat
The high-end outdoor and fly-fishing retailer Orvis is finishing its planned reduction of 31 retail locations and five outlet stores by early 2026.
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The Impact: As the brand consolidates its physical presence to focus on high-margin adventure travel and e-commerce, its regional retail outposts are being trimmed. This April marks the final month for several of its "lifestyle" showrooms across the Midwest and Mountain West that failed to meet post-pandemic growth targets.
The Silver Lining: New Arrivals
Despite the departures of legacy names like Lane Bryant (which closed in Sioux Falls this January), South Dakota’s premier shopping centers are reloading quickly. At The Empire Mall, the vacancies left by departing chains are already being filled by:
- Gap Factory: Returning to the mall for the first time since 2020.
- JD Sports: The global athletic footwear giant is set to open this spring.
- Dick’s House of Sport: Replacing the former Sears space with a massive experiential concept featuring rock-climbing walls and batting cages.