By Colton McAllister, Politics Reporter

Bed Bath & Beyond is back on the retail map, with executive chairman Marcus Lemonis announcing plans to open 300 new stores nationwide. But in a stunning move, not one of them will be in California.

Lemonis, who has long branded himself as a pragmatic businessman rather than an ideologue, made his reasoning clear: California is simply too costly and too risky for business.

“California has created one of the most overregulated, expensive, and risky environments for businesses in America,” Lemonis said. “At some point, a business needs to take a stand.”

He cited high taxes, high wages, and layers of regulation as the deciding factors, stressing that the decision was not political but rooted in hard numbers. Instead of pouring money into a state he sees as unsustainable for brick-and-mortar retail, Bed Bath & Beyond will serve California exclusively through its online operations.

Why It Matters

What makes Lemonis’ stance so striking is his own political background. He once ran for office as a Democrat and has publicly criticized Donald Trump. In other words, he is not aligned with the voices usually raising alarms about California’s hostile business climate. That makes his rebuke even more telling.

California once led the nation in Bed Bath & Beyond stores, with nearly 90 locations before the company’s 2023 bankruptcy. Now, as the brand reemerges, the state that was once its strongest base is being left behind completely.

A Familiar Story

Lemonis’ decision mirrors a broader trend. In recent years, California has seen corporate heavyweights like Tesla, Oracle, Chevron, Hewlett Packard, and Charles Schwab move operations out of the state, often landing in Texas. Each time, the message is similar: California’s high costs and red tape are pushing businesses away.

The Takeaway

For a high-profile business leader with Democratic ties to make such a public stand against California’s policies, the warning bell is loud. Lemonis framed it simply as “common sense,” but the signal is clear: under Governor Gavin Newsom and the state’s current regulatory regime, California is losing the confidence of both conservative and liberal business leaders alike.

Bed Bath & Beyond may be back—but California is not on the guest list.

Featured image: Exterior of a closing Bed Bath & Beyond store in Taylor, Michigan, May 10, 2023. Photo by 42-BRT, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).