You’ve probably heard the rumors floating around Long Island. Maybe you saw a headline on your phone while grabbing a coffee at the Huntington Village, or perhaps a neighbor mentioned something about another department store biting the dust. It’s a stressful thought. For many of us, the Macy’s at Walt Whitman Shops isn’t just a place to buy a last-minute tie or a bottle of perfume; it’s a landmark.
So, let's get right to it: is Macy's in Walt Whitman mall closing?
Honestly, the answer depends entirely on which "Macy's" you are talking about. If you are standing in the massive, three-floor flagship anchor that sits at the south end of the mall, take a deep breath. You're fine. As of January 2026, the primary Macy’s department store at Walt Whitman Shops is not on the list of closures.
But there’s a catch.
There is a second, smaller location nearby that has already met its end, and that's where the confusion usually starts.
The Tale of Two Huntington Macy’s
Long Island retail history is kinda messy. Because of how the mall evolved—specifically the merger between Abraham & Straus and Macy's decades ago—the Huntington area ended up with multiple "Macy's" footprints.
The main store at Walt Whitman Shops (160 Walt Whitman Rd) remains a "Go-Forward" location. This is corporate-speak for a store that Macy’s actually wants to keep. They are pouring money into these spots to make them feel less like dusty warehouses and more like modern boutiques. If you’ve walked through the first floor lately, you might have noticed the lighting is a bit sharper and the displays are a little more "Instagrammable." That’s intentional.
However, the Macy’s Backstage and furniture clearance center that was located at the Melville Mall (834 Walt Whitman Road), just a stone's throw down the street, was part of the 2025 "Bold New Chapter" cull. That location shuttered its doors in the first quarter of 2025.
When people Google "is Macy's in Walt Whitman mall closing," they often see news about the Melville closure and panic. It’s understandable. The addresses are practically identical, and both are staples of the Huntington/Melville border.
Why Everyone Is Worried
Macy’s Inc. hasn't exactly been shy about their plans to shrink. Under CEO Tony Spring, the company is midway through a massive restructuring. They are cutting 150 underperforming stores across the country by the end of 2026.
Just this month, in early January 2026, the company announced another 14 closures. You might have seen the list. It includes spots in Amherst, New York, and Livingston, New Jersey. But Huntington? It’s nowhere to be found on that list.
Here’s why the Walt Whitman location is likely safe for the long haul:
- The "Reimagine" Strategy: Macy's is focusing on 125 "Reimagine" stores. Walt Whitman is a high-traffic, high-income mall. It fits the profile of a store they want to save.
- The Bloomingdale’s Connection: Walt Whitman Shops also houses a Bloomingdale’s (which is owned by Macy’s Inc.). This mall is a "luxury" hub for Simon Property Group. Macy’s doesn't want to hand that territory over to Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus.
- Sales Performance: While the company doesn't release store-specific numbers, the Huntington location is historically one of the stronger performers in the New York region.
What "A Bold New Chapter" Actually Means for You
Basically, Macy’s realized they couldn't be everything to everyone anymore. They were too big. They were spread too thin.
The 150 stores they are closing—including the ones that went dark in 2025 like Massapequa’s Sunrise Mall location—were "underproductive." That’s a polite way of saying they were losing money. The Sunrise Mall closure was a huge blow to that community, turning the area into what locals call a "ghost mall."
But at Walt Whitman, the vibe is different. Instead of closing, you’re likely to see more "small-format" experiments or deeper integrations with their luxury brands, Bluemercury and Bloomingdale’s.
It’s worth noting that retail is fickle. Just because a store isn't on the "closing list" today doesn't mean it’s safe forever. But for now, the Huntington Station flagship is sticking around.
The Ghost of Malls Past
We’ve seen a lot of anchors vanish from Long Island. Lord & Taylor at Walt Whitman is gone (now converted into upscale office and retail space). Sears and Kmart are basically fossils at this point.
The fear that Macy’s would be next is logical. However, Simon Property Group has done a pretty decent job of pivoting Walt Whitman Shops into a "lifestyle center." By adding high-end dining like The Cheesecake Factory and Legal Sea Foods, they’ve kept the foot traffic high enough to justify Macy’s staying put.
If you are a regular shopper, you’ve probably noticed the clearance sales at other locations. When a Macy’s closes, the discounts are insane—sometimes up to 90% off. You won't find those "everything must go" signs at Walt Whitman right now. If you see a "Clearance" sign there, it’s just a normal seasonal sale.
Actionable Insights for Huntington Shoppers
If you want to keep up with what’s actually happening without falling for the rumor mill, here is what you should do:
- Check the Store Locator: The official Macy’s website removes stores from their locator tool the moment a permanent closure is finalized. If 160 Walt Whitman Rd is still there, the doors are open.
- Watch the "Reimagine" Updates: Look for physical changes in the store. If Macy’s starts installing new flooring, upgraded tech in the fitting rooms, or more Bluemercury counters, that’s a signal of investment, not abandonment.
- Distinguish Between "Backstage" and "Flagship": Remember that the Melville Mall closure (834 Walt Whitman Rd) is old news. Don't let 2025 headlines scare you in 2026.
- Monitor the 2026 Final Wave: Macy’s has about 70 more stores to name for closure before the end of the 2026 fiscal year. While Huntington is a "Go-Forward" store, it’s always smart to keep an eye on the quarterly earnings reports.
Bottom line? Your favorite spot for holiday window shopping and mattress testing in Huntington isn't going anywhere today. The retail landscape is changing, sure, but for now, Macy's at Walt Whitman Shops remains a cornerstone of the Long Island shopping experience.