Nordstrom Closing Longtime Santa Monica Store as Promenade Vacancies Rise

CALIFORNIA — Nordstrom will permanently close its Santa Monica Place location next month, the company confirmed, marking another major retail exit from a shopping center struggling with rising vacancies and recent public safety concerns.

The luxury department store chain said its last day of operations at the Santa Monica mall will be August 26, ending a roughly 15-year run at the popular seaside shopping destination.

In a statement shared with KTLA 5 News, a Nordstrom spokesperson said the decision to close was “not easy,” and the company is working to support employees impacted by the transition.

“We’re committed to taking care of our employees through this transition, including supporting those who are interested in finding another role within Nordstrom,” the company said.

Closures Add Pressure to Struggling Promenade

The 500,000-square-foot Santa Monica Place mall is located at the southern end of the Third Street Promenade, a once-bustling shopping corridor that has seen increased vacancies and foot traffic declines since the COVID-19 pandemic.

City leaders have made various attempts to revitalize the promenade, including a May 2025 policy change allowing open alcohol consumption along the promenade in hopes of drawing more visitors and tenants.

But retailers continue to exit, and the recent announcement by Nordstrom only adds to concerns about the area’s commercial health.

Closure Comes Days After Mall Shooting

The Nordstrom announcement came just days after a Santa Monica police officer was shot at the mall while trying to apprehend a suspect accused of shooting two teens inside a Waymo autonomous taxi nearby.

While no connection was made between the store closure and the violent incident, the timing has further spotlighted public safety and the challenges of operating large-format retail in dense urban areas.

Nordstrom’s Broader Presence Still Strong

Founded in 1901 by Swedish immigrant John Nordstrom, the company has grown into a nationwide fashion retailer with more than 360 locations, including its Nordstrom Rack outlets. While some full-line department stores are closing due to shifting consumer trends, the brand remains active in other markets across California and the U.S.

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