Hudsonville-based B2 Outlet Stores closes majority of stores

Madalyn Buursma
·2 min read

HUDSONVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) — Several B2 Outlet Stores locations have closed their doors.

At least 16 stores have closed since Nov. 7, including the most-recent Hastings closure, which happened Monday.

“The challenges and complexities of navigating a sluggish retail economy has resulted in significant declined sales,” a note on the Hasting location’s Facebook page, similar to the other closing announcements, says. “This has impacted nearly every retailer and B2 is not immune.”

The outlet store said it “pivoted” to try to bring in more foot traffic, but “a turnaround has not occurred.”

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“Although closing stores is never an easy decision, B2 has reached that point where closing a small number of stores is imperative,” B2 said.

It said the closures would help the company focus on remaining stores.

A list of locations on the company’s website does not appear to be working. Over the last two months, it has closed several West Michigan locations, including in Muskegon, Kentwood, Battle Creek, Plainfield Township and Kalamazoo.

In Ohio, a location in Toledo closed on Jan. 11, just three months after its Oct. 12, 2023 grand opening.

It appears the Wyoming, Hudsonville and Holland locations are still open, but the phone line for the Hudsonville location — which on Feb. 2 posted about the “biggest sale we’ve EVER had” — was disconnected. So were the Wyoming and corporate phone lines. The phone number listed for the location in Holland went unanswered Tuesday.

It is unclear if any other locations remain open. The company’s website advertises 22 locations.

B2 Outlet Stores was first started by Duane Smith and his son, Matt Smith, around 10 years ago in Hudsonville. Originally called ‘Benefit Twice Outlet Stores,’ the business sells liquidated stock and donates part of its proceeds to nonprofits.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our valued customers who shopped stores that may be closing,” B2 wrote in the Facebook post. “Thank you for helping us ‘be a blessing’ in the … community.”

Multiple messages to the owners were not answered by close of business Tuesday.

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