Williamsburg Kohl’s permanently closes after nearly two decades in business

WILLIAMSBURG – Kohl’s in Williamsburg has permanently closed after 18 years in business at 100 Gristmill Plaza. 

The store is among 27 “underperforming” locations across the nation slated to shutter by April 2025 as part of the retailer’s 2025 restructuring plans. 

“This location is closed,” a sign on the door says. “Please visit our other locations: 551 Bland Boulevard, Newport News, VA or 6253 College Drive, Suffolk, VA. Plus, we’re always open at Kohls.com.”

The Williamsburg Kohl’s opened in 2007 to much fanfare. It welcomed its first customers just days after the Marquis Shopping Center near Water Country USA first opened to the public. 

Since then, the once-bustling shopping center has lost three of its original retailers – JCPenney, Dick’s Sporting Goods and now Kohl’s – leaving nearly 200,000 square feet of vacant retail space behind. 

None of those stores have been replaced by new shopping establishments; however, an indoor pickleball club, The Picklr, recently took over the former Dick’s space. The club is slated to host a grand opening on April 4, 2025, according to its website.

Target and Best Buy are now the only retailers to remain at Marquis.

For years, locals anticipated the opening of a Sam’s Club in the shopping center. The company finally purchased more than 13 acres of land there in 2019. At the time, the county said that additional space would be created to accommodate restaurants and other retailers.

However, the plan fell apart soon after the purchase was made, with developers abruptly advising the county that they would not be moving forward with the project. 

Williamsburg has lost several other popular businesses in the past 12 months, including Earth Fare in Midtown Row; Burger Fi on Mooretown Road; Red Lobster on Richmond Road; Jamestown Pie Company on Jamestown Road; La Piazza and Blackbird Bakery in Merchant’s Square; and Baker’s Crust and Mooyah, both located in New Town. 

The Joann located in New Town is also set to close in the coming weeks as the craft retailer files for bankruptcy. Big Lots on Mooretown Road recently closed but is expected to eventually reopen under new ownership.

The Triangle’s readers had mixed reactions after our original story announcing the store’s closure.

Many said that while they noticed the store’s traffic dwindled considerably in recent years, they are still sad to see it go.

“It’s disappointing to see Kohl’s close,” Tracy Taylor said. “With so many new homes in the area, I’m surprised to see this shopping center struggling. It feels like we’re losing retail options, driving local spending towards other cities.”

“What a shame,” Judy Gambrell said. “[I] love Kohl’s.”

Others expressed concern that Williamsburg-area residents are not patronizing local businesses frequently enough.

“The stores that are closing are underachieving as far as foot traffic in the door. That’s on the Williamsburg community,” said Corey Vanleliveld. “People want to have these stores in Williamsburg but fail to visit… as a community, we have to do better.”

Beth Klapper agreed, saying there are “too many vacant buildings” in the area.

Kohl’s enthusiasts in the Historic Triangle will now have to shop online or visit one of the other stores in the region. The retailer operates 29 stores in Virginia, including locations in Newport News, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Chester and Mechanicsville.

– Original Story –

Kohl’s to close its Williamsburg Location by April 2025

Published Jan. 10, 2025

WILLIAMSBURG – Another local department store will soon bite the dust.

The Kohl’s located at 100 Gristmill Plaza – in the long-struggling Marquis Shopping Center – will soon be shutting its doors, according to a Jan. 9 news release.

The location is said to be among 27 “underperforming stores” that are on the retailer’s chopping block this year. While an exact date for the closure has not yet been announced, it is expected to close by April 2025.

The Williamsburg store is one of two Virginia Kohl’s locations that will be going out of business this year. The other is located in Herndon.

Kohl’s CEO Tom Kingsbury said the decision to close the stores was difficult.

“As we continue to build on our long-term growth strategy, it is important that we also take difficult but necessary actions to support the health and future of our business for our customers and our teams,” he said in a statement. 

All impacted employees have been notified and will receive severance packages or the opportunity to transition into other roles within Kohl’s.

In addition to the closure of 27 stores, Kohl’s will also be shutting down its e-commerce fulfillment center in San Bernardino in May 2025.

Despite the news, Kohl’s has remained profitable, overall. The company is expected to become stronger with additional investments in its online shopping experience, according to the retailer’s leadership.

The closure of the Williamsburg Kohl’s marks another setback for the Marquis Shopping Center, which has lost two other anchor stores in recent years.

The plaza was once home to a thriving JCPenney, which closed in 2015, and a Dick’s Sporting Goods, which went out of business in January 2021. Target and Best Buy remain there. 

Click here to see the full list of Kohl’s locations expected to close in 2025.