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Economy
Bed, Bath & Beyond flees California, tells the world exactly why
2025-08-21
[American Thinker] Like many businesses, Bed, Bath & Beyond is fleeing California.

Unlike most, however, it's not slinking out quietly. It's letting the world know why it go the hell out of Dodge.

In a publicly issued statement, its executive chairman, Marcus Lemonis, wrote:

We will not open or operate retail stores in California.

This decision isn’t about politics — it’s about reality. 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.

The result? 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.

At Bed Bath & Beyond, our responsibility is to our customers and our shareholders. We will not participate in a system that undermines both. Instead, we are investing in a California strategy that works: 24—48-hour delivery, and in many cases, same-day service. Californians will continue to get the products they love through BedBathandBeyond.com — but without the inflated costs created by an unsustainable model.

We’re taking a stand because it’s time for common sense. Businesses deserve the chance to succeed. Employees deserve jobs that last. And customers deserve fair prices. California’s system delivers the opposite. That’s why Bed Bath & Beyond will serve California customers directly through BedBathandBeyond.com, on our terms, and with their best interests at heart.
This ran on Morningstar from BusinessWire so all the investment gurus with cash to manage could see it, but it's all over social media, too -- so everyone could see it.


Posted by:Besoeker

#12  Ace covered this the other day, what he was saying 'drunk tweets'. Apparently they are so bad apes of 'Trump Style' friendlies were telling them to shut up.

I've heard of various forms of what would be considered, by any other name, an Exit Tax, at least balloon trialed.
Posted by: swksvolFF   2025-08-21 20:52  

#11  ^ A bit snarky for the governor of a state. Not a good look.

Man, I'm so old I remember when governors tried to attract business to their state, sometimes even going so far as offering money incentives in various forms.
Posted by: SteveS   2025-08-21 18:26  

#10  That is his media handlers, who look just as gay and snotty as this statement.

See, they are trying to do their best Trump style. But because they are hollow screen generation people with no life experience, it comes off like....this.

I've heard it said that, in media, Authenticity is the Currency of the Future (and other such variations on that theme). This group has none.

Oh, and who else shops at BB&B? AWFLs.
Posted by: swksvolFF   2025-08-21 16:31  

#9  From the
Governor Newsom Press Office
@GovPressOffice
we hear that Newsom remains unfazed...

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.

It sounds like he's actually glad they're gone and he hopes that others will leave as well. They will, of course, and a lot of others already have.
Posted by: Abu Uluque   2025-08-21 13:54  

#8  I believe Kaliphornia has or wants to have an exit tax on people fleeing that legislative sh!thole.
Posted by: DooDahMan   2025-08-21 13:10  

#7  BB&B has some valid reasons for closing retail stores in the state.

What they didn't mention might also be the unenforced 'liberation' of items from their storefronts.
Posted by: Mullah Richard    2025-08-21 12:14  

#6  ^#5

Given the creativity of the Far Left Liberal Democrats and their appointed Federal Judges.

What if it were a State levied tax or Sur-charge tax to offset state conditions and package waste disposal, For items shipped in that don't meet the CAL. Enhance Environmental Green Zero Impact standards. eg. Plastic packagings?
Posted by: NN2N1   2025-08-21 09:22  

#5  Article I, § 10, clause 2 of the United States Constitution, known as the Import-Export Clause, prevents the states, without the consent of Congress, from imposing tariffs on imports and exports above what is necessary for their inspection laws and secures for the federal government the revenues from all tariffs on imports and exports.
Posted by: Procopius2k   2025-08-21 08:01  

#4  That would not be Constitutional but at least it would be across the board.
Posted by: Super Hose   2025-08-21 07:48  

#3  /\ Secession is not out of the question, nor is armed confrontation. These people will go to any lengths. It's a civil war of sorts.
Posted by: Besoeker   2025-08-21 07:48  

#2  
Can see it now.

Gov. Newsome declares 20% Tariffs / surtax on companies shipping in items, if the company is not physically located in California.
Posted by: NN2N1   2025-08-21 07:42  

#1  That was some good bridge demolition. Expect some petty reprisal from Newsom beyond snark.
Posted by: Super Hose   2025-08-21 06:19  

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