Thank you @PPF. These 3 - 2x4"s are between my wall studs which sit 16" apart, so I'm hoping they aren't.

"These 3 - 2x4"s are between my wall studs which sit 16" apart, so I'm hoping they aren't."

That does not mean that they are structural and does not mean that are not. It is just not possible to be certain one way or the other if it is loading bearing from the picture and info offered.

@PPF. and @millworkman — would it help to see the 2nd floor plan (what's above it) or are you thinking I need to have someone come and inspect it?

You need to have someone that knows about load bearing walls (not just someone off the street), to come in and do a thorough inspection. They will need attic access, to do this. As to those two 2x4 you want to remove, well, you can be assured, they were not just put there, because someone wanted to put in some 2x4. They are there for a very good reason. Its just the way the house was built., so dont remove anything more until you get it inspected.

Regardless of whether the wall is load bearing or not, as @PPF. mentioned, those studs are there to tie the perpendicular wall to that pantry wall. Think about what will happen to the two corners "behind" your pantry wall if you remove those studs. The drywall in each of the corners (the half bath and the other space) will be completely unsupported in the corner. This is a bad idea.

Not only will the drywall be unsupported, but there is no way to remove those studs without causing damage to the sheetrock corners.

there were additional studs I wasn't expecting.

That's what stud finders were invented for.

"That's what stud finders were invented for."

She did use a stud finder:

Supporting the drywall on the other side is a problem. As for load bearing, you can add a header and jack studs just in case there's a load from above.

Looking in the basement might tell you more than looking on the floor above.

Is the small space saved really that important?

I would put my stud space shelving to the left of that stud cavity. I would not go right because you may hit a vent pipe for the powder room.

Ditto to what everyone else has said.

That would not be an area for you to do a stud pantry.

There is no way of telling from the photo if this is load bearing or not. You need to have an architect or engineer in to look and determine of this is truly load bearing and then come up with a plan from there. Err on the side of caution to stay away from problems later on.

Technically, all studs are load bearing. They are either bearing the load of the floor above or the gypsum board attached to it. Do not remove or alter any studs unless I am the beneficiary named on your life insurance policy.