Lubbock has long been the “to go” place for many Hockley County shoppers who head to the Hub City for restaurants, entertainment and other mainstays and businesses.
In 2025, Lubbock saw more than businesses and restaurants closing or leaving town, but just as many openings.
Several banks have tentative dates set for openings in 2026, including ABC Bank, two locations for Chase Bank, along with the Civic Park late in the year.
On the list of restaurants that closed, 1102 Bubble Tea & Coffee closed after one year. A new business – SN Banh Mi Vietnamese Sandwhich & More moved into the location.
Abbot’s Frozen Custard closed after about a year in business also.
Bone Daddy’s was locked out of its location by the building owners in early May.
The historic Café J closed in early December ahead of bulldozing for a proposed 584- bed student housing development after months of community debate to tear down the Godbold building which housed the café.
Copper Caboose restaurant and sports bar on Ave. Q closed in September after 24 years of serving Mexican and American cuisine, hinting that a other location might be opening in the future.
Several other restaurant chains and franchises fell to the wayside last January, including Costa Vida, Taco Villa and a Starbucks. Hillside Lounge and Café/Willi C’s Breakfast House and Lounge closed in October. Los Victor’s Mexican Food closed in early May. Four months later, Sam’s Southern Eatery returned to Lubbock at the location.
On the Border Grill and Cantina closed in mid-March amid a Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Pei Wei closed after 18 years in Lubbock.
Salt by Angie closed in July after four months in business to step back and regroup. Sub-Zero Bites &a Sips closed in January. Tommy Bob’s Snak Shak, a BBQ drive-thru is now at the location. Tommy’s Famous Burgers closed after 47 years in September due to the retirement of the owner.
Wing Shack and Tap House closed after two years.
Business closures included Allsup’s Express on Slide Road after three years and moved employees to other locations. Cinemark Southwest Lubbock Movies 16 and XD dropped the curtain on Lubbock last February. No reason was given for the closure. Colbert’s General Store located inside Metro Tower downtown closed in June after 13 months, citing lack of foot traffic.
Curby’s, a Lubbockborn convenience store, closed its doors last July. It continues to have a location in Amarillo. CVS Pharmacy closed its 50th St. location in the fall and employees were transferred to one of the other nine locations.
The Executive Inn issued evictions and shut the motel down due to high crime rates in October after the Lubbock Police Department sought the owners compliance to cease criminal activity. Hawaii Fluid Art, an interactive fluid art shop that offered classes and private events, closed in December after three years.
Lucky Dollar closed its doors in June after three years at the 50t St. location. Mountain Hideaway Outdoor Outfitters closed and/or closed after 33 years, with closing sales beginning in December.
Play Street Museum exhibits, toys and crafting events closed in November. Retro Rileys closed its physical store but is maintaining an online shop. River Rose Boutique ended its Lubbock store in September but maintains a storefront in New Braunfels. Rusty Taco closed in December after two years in business.
Sprinkles Cupcakes closed the bakery in January after two years. The location now serves as Field House Deli. West Texas Printing Center closed in September. The printing press has produced newspapers in Lubbock, Abilene, Amarillo, Wichita Falls, San Angelo as printing was shifted to other locations.
Wilshire Place Senior Living closed in July due to an unattainable business model. Woods Boot City ended in June after 47 years due to an uncertain economy.