@billybob : Not surprising. They've closed a bunch of stores the past couple years.

Didn't know we had one.

@skutfarcus :
I know. I think it is amazing they hung on for as long as they did. Wonder if there is more really bad news coming from them. Two lists of closings so close together strikes some people as very unusual.

BBB is going bankrupt.

sorry the employees are losing their jobs. been there

Before the pandemic, I visited quite often. Pandemic and post-pandemic, not so much. I've noticed a decline in the quality, variety and quantity of their offerings as they stopped carrying many of the brands I enjoyed purchasing. I'm certainly glad I was able to use my gift card(coffee pods) a couple of weeks ago!

BBB used to be a middle tier housewares retailer. For a few years now, pre-pandemic too, they have become a low tier retailer, no better than Wal-Mart or Target. Target especially has upped their game and has been crushing it against BBB.There has been a seismic shift in retail in Peoria since Caterpillar moved its executive office out in 2018. I feel the retail industry no longer looks at Peoria as a place to put a middle tier, let alone and upper tier, retail establishment.

I think it was December, 2019, maybe December 2018. We were in one of their stores to use a coupon good for 20% off and buy some kitchen towels. which t fell into pieces a few times after their first use.That was our last time in one of their stores.
While we were there we noticed there was no Christmas merchandise of any kind. It was about Dec. 20. Strange. We asked someone who went back to the stock room to check. He was gone quite awhile and came back and said it had not come in yet. I had a hard time keeping a straight face. That was a major sign they had cash flow and credit issues even at that early date.

The price of their better culinary knives were ridiculous. No wonder Amazon is in business and they aren't. I get some some mark-up, but good Lord.

@jannn1959 : This was my wife's complaint as well. She stopped going there because she said they were only selling their house brand, not any of the brands she wanted (that they used to carry).

@Mahkno : Sure looks that way. We lost The Fresh Market, the City couldn't lure Trader Joe's here, and the only department stores we have left are JC Penney and Kohl's, I believe. I typically have to drive to the Chicago suburbs to get clothes of good quality. We only have one office store (Office Max/Depot). Peoria appears to be withering on the vine.

@PeoriaChronicle : Meijer WAS going to build a store in Peoria at one time. I don't know if it's still planned.

Getting Trader Joe's to Peoria would have been a monumental uphill battle under the very best of circumstances. They don't have a store in Illinois that isn't in Chicago or the suburbs. That wound create logistical issues for delivery. They drive a very, very hard bargain. Lately, they seem to be opening in places where there is LOTS of foot traffic.In the mean time, the space where Bed,Bath and Beyond is now is a large space. Hopefully. that space won't sit empty for too long before something else opens there.

You know what they say! Go woke go broke!

@DIANA : Who's 'they'?