Macy’s announced it will close its longtime store at Grossmont Center in La Mesa within the next few weeks, citing low sales and a desire to focus on higher-performing locations.
The closure marks the end of an era for shoppers who have relied on the department store as a key anchor at the mall for decades. The Macy’s at Grossmont Center will join the Macy’s location at Otay Ranch Town Center in Chula Vista, which closed last year.
Susan Noetzel, a La Mesa resident, said she has been shopping at the Grossmont Center Macy’s for about 30 years. She said the news of the closure has been disappointing.
“Very sad. Extremely sad. Yeah, I’m going to miss it,” she said. “Because I enjoy shopping in person.”
A Macy’s spokesman told NBC 7, “Closing a store is never easy, and we don’t take these decisions lightly.”
As the store prepares to shut its doors, shoppers are taking advantage of steep discounts, with sales ranging from 20% to 25% off throughout the store.
While Macy’s is leaving, Grossmont Center itself is not going anywhere. Earlier this month, the mall began phase one of a multimillion-dollar renovation project aimed at modernizing the property.
“I mean, it does need a facelift. I mean, this hasn’t changed in 30 years,” Noetzel said.
Mall officials said upgrades include renovated storefronts, improved landscaping and enhancements to common areas between stores. A later phase of the project is expected to bring a new tenant into the former Macy’s space.
The vice president of the mall’s ownership group told NBC 7, “Our vision has been to preserve what people love here while elevating the experience for the next generation.”
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.