Major U.S. chain: ‘We will not open or operate retail stores in California’

There have been a multitude of indicators that suggest Gavin Newsom, California’s extremist Democrat governor, is planning to claim that he is “the one” who should represent America’s failing Democrat party in the next presidential election.

Not the least of that agenda has been his creation of an online persona that mimics President Donald Trump, as he uses all-caps statements and such.

But now one major American corporate presence, Bed, Bath and Beyond, has delivered its verdict already on his failed state leadership.

The company has announced it no longer with “open or operate” retail outlets in Newsom’s state.

In a statement from Marcus Lemonis, executive chairman of the company, he said bluntly, “We will not open or operate retail stores in California.”

He continues, “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.”

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“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 investiing 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 BedBachandBeyond.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 change to succeed. Employees deserve jobs that last. And customers deserve fair prices. California’s system delivers the opposite. That’s why Bed Bach & Beyond will serve California customers directly through BedBathandBeyond.com, on our terms, and with their best interests at heart.”

Official statement regarding @BedBathBeyond

We will not open retail stores in California.

This isn’t about politics — it’s about reality.
California’s system makes it nearly impossible for businesses to succeed, and I won’t put our company, our employees, or our… pic.twitter.com/G5dSaigB3y

— Marcus Lemonis (@marcuslemonis) August 20, 2025

A report at RedState called the announcement a “rare move for a major corporation.”

“By contrast, Bed, Bath, and Beyond will move ahead with reopening brick-and-mortar stores in nearly every other state in the country,” the report noted.

“While Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) and his cronies love to brag about California’s total GDP, something largely driven by its pre-existing population size, that does not testify to economic health. China has a huge GDP, but would anyone argue it’s a great place to operate a business or that their system is preferable to America’s markets? Right now, California is slipping further and further into debt while more and more corporations flee to find relief from the destructive policies put in place by decades of Democrat governance,” RedState explained.

“All of this was preventable. California is a textbook example of what happens when you give left-wingers total control and let their hubris run wild. Yes, long-standing industries and foundational successes that started long before the Newsom era continue to keep the state afloat, but that won’t continue forever. You can, in fact, push things too far, and we’ve seen examples of that over recent years. For example, In-N-Out Burger, a California staple, is choosing to do its latest expansion in the Republican South, including moving its headquarters. Meanwhile, Newsom is having to get on bended knee and beg oil companies not to abandon his state, and there are a lot more companies in other sectors looking to get out as well, from healthcare to technology.”