Bankruptcies that affected Pierce County businesses in 2025

This list of curated articles highlights significant bankruptcies affecting major brands and locations in Pierce County in 2025.

Forever 21 entered a second bankruptcy, leading to liquidation sales at the Tacoma Mall. The Graffiti Garages property in downtown Tacoma faced a "notice of abandonment" after involvement in a Ponzi scheme. Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs closed locations across Pierce County as part of bankruptcy proceedings.

Tacoma Mall seen in 2022. Clothing retailer Uniqlo is set to open its new store at the mall May 10.

NO. 1: FOREVER 21’S FUTURE LOOKS GRIM AS IT ENTERS BANKRUPTCY, BEGINS LIQUIDATIONS AT AREA STORES

The retailer has prominent storefronts at Tacoma Mall, Westfield Southcenter. | Published March 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

The building and adjacent lot at 725 Broadway is currently for sale as a site of potential development, seen here Friday, May 3, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 2: INFAMOUS DOWNTOWN TACOMA PROPERTY HIT WITH ‘NOTICE OF ABANDONMENT’ DESIGNATION

The move was part of a court-approved Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan. | Published April 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

Bartell Drugs at 3601 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, appeared on Rite Aid’s list of latest proposed store closings filed this month in bankruptcy court.

NO. 3: MORE WA RITE AID AND BARTELL SITES ADDED TO CHAINS’ STORE SHUTDOWN LIST

More than 20 Washington stores added on back-to-back lists filed last week in bankruptcy court; four of those are in Pierce County. | Published June 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

Bail was set at $1 million each for a Vancouver, Wash. couple at their court appearance

NO. 4: PIERCE COUNTY CASINO CLOSING AS ITS OPERATOR FILES FOR CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY

The company in bankruptcy filing cited “significant competition from tribal casinos in their key Washington market, operational misalignments, and industry headwinds.” | Published July 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

NO. 5: THIS WASHINGTON RETAILER HAS FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY, PLANS TO SELL MOST STORES

Car Toys, a 38-year-old Auburn-based retailer, has filed for bankruptcy and plans to sell the majority of its stores. | Published August 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Isabela Lund

The new Artist & Craftsman Supply will occupy the 5,000-square-foot Wagner Motors building on St. Helens Avenue in downtown Tacoma. By Drew Perine

NO. 6: BELOVED DOWNTOWN TACOMA CRAFT STORE FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY. WHAT WILL THAT MEAN?

A large arts-and-crafts store that has been a downtown Tacoma staple for nearly a decade has filed for bankruptcy, The News Tribune confirmed this week. | Published December 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.