2024 – Barnes & Noble reports that it opens more new bookstores in a single year than it did in the entire 2009‑2019 decade, signaling a turnaround after two decades of store closures. [2][6]

Mar 2025 – Dollar General announces the closure of 96 stores in Q1 FY2025 as part of a portfolio‑optimization review, providing context for its later aggressive expansion plan. [3][7]

Apr 2025 – Trader Joe’s opens its Greenwood, Seattle location, contributing to Washington’s near‑30‑store presence and illustrating the chain’s rapid growth. [4]

May 2025 – Trader Joe’s opens a Bellingham store, further expanding its footprint in western Washington. [4]

May 2025 – Woodinville Mayor Mike Millman previews the upcoming Trader Joe’s store, posting on social media that the opening is slated for “late 25 early 26.” [4]

Nov 2025 – Trader Joe’s launches a Lacey, Washington store, bringing the state’s total to almost 30 locations. [4]

Dec 2025 – Barnes & Noble announces a plan to open 60 new stores in 2026 across multiple states, with several openings scheduled through June 2026, marking the first large‑scale expansion after two decades of decline. [2][6]

Dec 2025 – Dollar General outlines a 2026 rollout of about 450 new U.S. stores—mostly 8,500‑sq‑ft formats in rural communities—and about 10 new stores in Mexico, stating that “the majority of the new stores will be located predominantly in rural communities.” [3][7]

Feb 18, 2026 – Trader Joe’s lists eight new store locations in Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Texas, Washington, and Florida, adds over six entries to its “opening soon” page, and targets grand openings in 2026, though exact dates remain unconfirmed. [1][5]

Feb 18, 2026 – Trader Joe’s confirms the Woodinville, WA store at 14035 Northeast Woodinville Duvall Road, with the opening date still unannounced, continuing the chain’s expansion in a state that now hosts nearly 30 stores. [4]