Big Lots comeback continues with reopening more than 130 stores this month across 14 states
HENDERSON, N.C. (Gray News)—Big Lots is continuing its comeback by reopening multiple stores in more than a dozen states.
The discount chain’s new owners announced last month that they will be bringing back 132 stores that are opening their doors again this month.
“We’re excited to bring an additional 132 Big Lots locations back to life in May,” Lisa Seigies, president and CEO of Variety Wholesalers, said. “The customer response to the newly expanded assortment of fresh inventory and great deals has been overwhelmingly positive.”
The company’s first wave of reopenings happened on April 10 which included nine stores in six states under a new ownership group as part of the brand’s 2024 bankruptcy filing.
Last December, Big Lots was sold to Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, a firm that specializes in distressed companies.
Variety Wholesalers Inc., which had already owned more than 400 discount stores in the U.S. Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, said it acquired hundreds of Big Lots stores and will operate them under the Big Lots brand.
“We’re thrilled to bring the Big Lots brand back to life by offering more deals than ever, lots of famous brands and a new apparel department for the entire family,” Seigies said.
According to Variety Wholesalers, Big Lots stores are reopening in two phases, with several locations returning on May 1 and May 15:
Alabama: Athens, Decatur, Dothan, Guntersville, Jasper, Mobile, Northport
Florida: Crystal River, Jacksonville, Marianna, Ormond Beach, Panama City
Georgia: Augusta, Brunswick, Buford, Cornelia, Dallas, Fort Oglethorpe, Marietta, Smyrna, Valdosta, Vidalia, Waycross
Indiana: Jasper
Kentucky: Campbellsville, Danville, Elizabethtown, Glasgow, Hazard, London, Middlesboro, Richmond, Somerset
Michigan: Burton, Flint, Port Huron, Shelby Township, Southgate
Mississippi: Southhaven
North Carolina: Belmont, Burlington, Clemmons, Dunn, Elizabeth City, Elkin, Fayetteville, Gastonia, Greensboro, Greenville, Hickory, Kinston, Lexington, Lincolnton, Mocksville, Mooresville, Mount Airy, Newton, Roanoke Rapids, Rocky Mount, Selma, Shelby, Southport, Statesville, Wake Forest, Wilkesboro, Wilson
Ohio: Alliance, Boardman, Bridgeport, Columbus, Elyria, Fremont, Grove City, Kettering, Lancaster, New Philadelphia, Reynoldsburg, Toledo, Warren, Wintersville
Pennsylvania: Bloomsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Du Bois, Dunmore, East Stroudsburg, Erie, Eynon, Franklin, Lehighton, Lewisburg, Meadville, New Castle
South Carolina: Easley, Greenwood, Lexington, Rock Hill, Seneca, Simpsonville, Spartanburg, West Columbia
Tennessee: Alcoa, Cleveland, Greeneville, Jefferson City, Johnson City, Knoxville, Morristown, Murfreesboro, Rogersville, Sevierville
Virginia: Chesapeake, Chester, Fredericksburg, Front Royal, Martinsville, North Chesterfield, North Prince George, Waynesboro, Winchester, Yorktown
West Virginia: Beckley, Bridgeport, Charleston, Elkins, Fairmont, Martinsburg, Oak Hill, Princeton
Variety Wholesalers said Big Lots stores are reopening in diverse markets, from major metropolitan areas to smaller towns, increasing accessibility for a wide range of customers.
“Every time a customer visits Big Lots we want them to find something new and exciting!” Seigies said.
The company said there are plans to continue to bring back more stores during the summer months, leading up to a grand opening celebration across all stores this fall.
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