Marcus Lemonis, executive chairman of Bed Bath & Beyond, says his company will not open any stores in California and openly called for Gov. Gavin Newsom to be removed from office.
His remarks came during an interview on Newsmax, where he pointed to California’s regulatory climate and economic policies as reasons the state is no longer viable for companies like his.
“We want to be in markets where we can actually make a profit,” Lemonis said.
He added that California’s environment makes it impossible for companies to operate without fear of constant legal or regulatory battles. “And we don’t wake up every morning wondering if we’re gonna be sued by some class action lawsuit or over-regulated by a local government.”
Lemonis went further, directly targeting California’s Democratic governor.
He said he would “love to see Gavin Newsom out of office,” blasting him for what he described as policies that have made the state unlivable for both businesses and residents.
His comments come at a pivotal moment for Bed Bath & Beyond.
Once a home goods retail giant with more than 1,500 stores nationwide, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2023 and closed all of its locations.
The collapse was one of the largest retail bankruptcies of the decade, leaving many of its big-box stores vacant.
After the bankruptcy, Lemonis and a group of investors purchased the company’s brand and assets, relaunching it as a digital-first business with a limited return to physical stores.
The first store under its new name, Bed Bath & Beyond Home, opened in Nashville, Tennessee.
Additional openings are planned, but Lemonis confirmed none will be located in California.
The announcement triggered a pointed response from Newsom’s office.
A spokesperson for the governor told the Daily Mail, “After their bankruptcy and closure of every store, like most Americans, we thought Bed, Bath & Beyond no longer existed.”
The spokesperson went on to say, “We wish them well in their efforts to become relevant again as they try to open a 2nd store.”
Newsom himself took to X, where he mocked the company’s comeback attempt.
“The company that already went bankrupt and closed every store across the country two years ago? Ok,” he posted.
The back-and-forth underscores a deeper battle over California’s economic identity.
Critics argue the state has priced itself out of competitiveness with costly regulations, new pollution reporting requirements and some of the highest minimum wages in the country.
Supporters, however, point to California’s record-setting GDP, booming startup scene and dominance in technology, agriculture and entertainment as proof of its continued economic strength.
Lemonis, who also runs Camping World, has a history of clashing with California officials.
In San Joaquin County, his company drew scrutiny for erecting a 130-foot flagpole at one of its stores without obtaining the proper permit.
Local officials temporarily forced the removal of the American flag before Lemonis ordered it raised again, disregarding the county’s directive.
He has also criticized California’s new corporate emissions law.
Passed in 2023, the legislation requires all companies earning more than $1 billion in revenue to report greenhouse gas emissions across their supply chains.
The Daily Mail further noted that business leaders have raised concerns about the cost and scope of the law, with Lemonis labeling it a “crazy law” during a Fox News interview.
California’s labor policies have also been a flashpoint.
In 2024, the state implemented a $20 minimum wage for fast food workers and mandated at least $25 an hour for healthcare workers.
While Democrats have promoted the measures as victories for working families, restaurant owners and hospital groups say the increases have pushed labor costs to unsustainable levels.
Some California restaurants have turned to automation to offset costs, with robots and AI replacing traditional staff roles.
For many companies, the higher wages add to what they already see as an environment saturated with taxes, lawsuits and regulatory requirements.
Despite the political tone of his remarks, Lemonis insisted his decision to avoid California is business-driven.
“California has created one of the most overregulated, expensive, and risky environments for businesses in America,” he said in a formal statement.
Beyond calling for Newsom to be removed from office, Lemonis also criticized the state’s entertainment industry.
“I can tell you, the people in Hollywood don’t wanna be there anymore either,” he told Newsmax, suggesting talent is fleeing the state.
The post Bed Bath & Beyond Chief Says Company Won’t Open Stores in Anti-Business California appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.
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Author: Jordyn M.
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