Los Angeles, December 9, 2025
Howard’s Appliances, a longstanding retail chain in Southern California, has unexpectedly closed all its locations, leaving employees without jobs and customers with unfulfilled orders. The closures, which affected multiple stores in cities like Los Angeles, Riverside, and Long Beach, were announced with only two days’ notice to employees. Customers face uncertainty regarding their pending orders and refunds. The company’s website is offline, and representatives stated the closure was due to ‘circumstances beyond our control.’
Los Angeles, California
Howard’s Appliances Closes All Southern California Stores Abruptly
Howard’s Appliances, a 79-year-old retail chain based in the City of Industry, California, unexpectedly shut down all its Southern California locations over the weekend, leaving employees without jobs and customers with pending orders in uncertainty.
Details of the Closure
The closures affected several Howard’s Appliances stores in eastern Los Angeles, Riverside, Long Beach, Laguna Hills, and Torrance. The company’s website was also taken offline, displaying an error message. Customers who had placed orders and made payments reported that their deliveries were not fulfilled, and they were unable to contact the company for updates. Employees received only two days’ notice about the layoffs, with a manager citing “circumstances beyond our control” as the reason for the sudden shutdown.
Background of Howard’s Appliances
Founded in 1946, Howard’s Appliances began as a radio repair shop in San Gabriel and expanded to offer a range of home appliances, mattresses, and TVs. It became a leading independent appliance retailer in Southern California, operating multiple locations across the region. In April 2025, the company was acquired by Newport Beach-based private equity firm S5 Equity, which aimed to revitalize the struggling business. Despite initial optimism from the new ownership, the company ceased operations abruptly in December 2025.
Impact on Customers and Employees
The sudden closure has left many customers in limbo, with pending orders unfulfilled and no clear communication from the company regarding refunds or future deliveries. Employees were laid off with minimal notice, leading to financial uncertainty for those affected. The abrupt shutdown has raised concerns about consumer protection and the responsibilities of companies to honor existing orders and commitments.
Similar Incidents in the Retail Sector
Howard’s Appliances is not the only retailer to face sudden closures in recent years. In 2023, Bed Bath & Beyond filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and liquidated all its remaining stores, with the last closing on July 30, 2023. Similarly, in 2024, luxury appliance retailer Pirch permanently shut down after filing for bankruptcy, leaving customers with unfulfilled orders and unpaid debts. These incidents highlight the challenges faced by brick-and-mortar retailers in a rapidly changing market and the importance of consumer vigilance when making purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What led to the sudden closure of Howard’s Appliances?
The company cited “circumstances beyond our control” as the reason for the abrupt shutdown, but no further details were provided.
How can affected customers seek refunds or resolve pending orders?
Customers are advised to contact their credit card companies or financial institutions to dispute charges. Additionally, they may file complaints with the California Department of Consumer Affairs for further assistance.
What are the implications of this closure for the retail industry?
The sudden closure underscores the challenges faced by brick-and-mortar retailers in adapting to changing consumer behaviors and market conditions. It also highlights the importance of consumer protection and the need for clear communication from companies regarding their operations and commitments.
Key Features of the Howard’s Appliances Closure
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Howard’s Appliances |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Number of Locations Affected | Multiple locations in Southern California, including Alhambra, City of Industry, Covina, Huntington Beach, Laguna Hills, La Habra, Long Beach, Riverside, Torrance, and Tustin. |
| Reason for Closure | “Circumstances beyond our control” as stated by the company. |
| Impact on Customers | Pending orders unfulfilled, difficulty in contacting the company for updates, and uncertainty regarding refunds. |
| Impact on Employees | Laid off with minimal notice, leading to financial uncertainty. |
| Acquisition Details | Acquired by Newport Beach-based private equity firm S5 Equity in April 2025. |
| Similar Incidents | Bed Bath & Beyond filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and liquidated all its remaining stores in 2023. Pirch permanently shut down after filing for bankruptcy in 2024. |
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Author: STAFF HERE LOS ANGELES WRITER
The LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELosAngeles.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and beyond, specializing in "news you can use" with coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while delivering top reporting on high-value events like the Academy Awards, LA Auto Show, and Los Angeles Marathon, extending coverage to key organizations such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, plus leading businesses in entertainment and technology like Warner Bros. and SpaceX, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREAnaheim.com , HERECostaMesa.com , HEREHuntingtonBeach.com , and HERESantaAna.com , providing comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape. HERE Anaheim HERE Beverly Hills HERE Coronado HERE Costa Mesa HERE Hollywood HERE Huntington Beach HERE Long Beach HERE Los Angeles HERE Mission Viejo HERE San Diego HERE Santa Ana
