The Waterworks mall near Aspinwall is losing a big-box tenant. The Bed Bath & Beyond store began liquidation sales this week and will close by the end of February, according to a store manager who declined to comment further. Messages left with the company’s corporate office were not returned. In July, the company reported poor sales during the first quarter of its fiscal year, which included March, April and May. Net sales in those months totaled $1.3 billion, down 49% from the same period last year. Bed Bath & Beyond CEO Mark Tritton wrote in a July news release that the covid-19 pandemic contributed to the losses. "The impact of the covid-19 situation was felt across our business during the fiscal first quarter, including loss of sales due to temporary store closures and margin pressure from the substantial channel shift to digital,” Tritton said. Net sales from digital channels increased 82% and accounted for two-thirds of total net sales. The closing news has left some shoppers surprised, such as Brittany Radomski of O’Hara. She said she received a promotional email from the home goods retailer Tuesday announcing the store’s closing and a storewide 20% sale on all merchandise. The email said the sale was applicable only to The Waterworks mall location. "At first, I was surprised, but I know a lot of brick-and-mortar stores were suffering before covid-19,” Radomski said. "I’ll miss the convenience of being able to run in when I need something, and especially the ability to take care of online returns right in the store.” Ross resident Kelly Ryan, who was shopping Wednesday for a fondue set, said she will miss shopping at the Waterworks location. "It’s very sad,” Ryan said. "They have a little bit of everything here, and you can always find a unique gift here.” Bed Bath & Beyond, incorporated in 1971, is one of the largest home good retailers in the United States. As of May 30, it had 955 stores in the United States and Canada, including ones in Ross, Monroeville, Robinson, Cranberry, Bethel Park and Homestead. Joyce Hanz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joyce at 724-226-7725, jhanz@triblive.com or via Twitter .