Big Lots Is Back: The Full List Of Store Reopenings

Big Lots is back!

It’s not unusual for a retailer to return from the brink of bankruptcy. It is unusual, however, for a retailer to hold going-out-of-business sales in all of its stores, close their doors, seemingly forever – and then have hundreds of them reopen as though nothing had ever happened.

That’s what is happening to Big Lots, beginning today, as it reopens nine stores in a first wave of reopenings that will eventually see restocked and reopened stores across 15 states. The full list of stores reopening now, and in the coming months, is below.

At its peak, Big Lots had about 1,400 locations. The restored version will have just over 200, for now. But it’s better than the alternative.

Back in September, the closeout retailer filed for bankruptcy while holding out hope it could stay in business. Instead, a few months later, it launched going-out-of-business sales in all of its stores.

After closing, many locations were sold to competitors – Ollie’s Bargain Outlet bought dozens of them. But in a last-second reprieve, Variety Wholesalers bought 219 stores with plans to reopen them under their existing Big Lots name.

So after the old owners sold everything in the stores, the new owners have been busy restocking them from scratch. “Customers will experience remodeled stores, a large selection of closeout deals and new merchandise categories, including apparel for the family and electronics,” Variety is promising.

North Carolina-based Variety currently operates more than 400 discount stores across the Southeast, primarily under the names Roses and Maxway. The Big Lots locations it acquired will increase the company’s total store count by 50%, and give it a greater presence across more of the country. 51 of the reopened Big Lots stores will be in Variety’s home state of North Carolina, while a couple dozen Big Lots reopenings in Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively, will expand the company’s presence into the Mid-Atlantic region. Southern states including Tennessee, South Carolina, Virginia and Georgia will each see more than a dozen Big Lots reopened.

After today’s reopenings, the rest on the list will open their doors in May and June. For now, the reopenings are considered “soft launches,” as the stores may not be fully stocked until the fall.

“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,” Variety Wholesalers CEO Lisa Seigies said in a statement. “We’re opening stores quickly so we can serve the community. We know the stores won’t be perfect to start, but each week we’ll add more new products as we build towards the grand opening celebration in the fall. Every time a customer visits Big Lots! we want them to find something new and exciting!”

So if you’ve missed your Big Lots bargain hunts, don’t despair – if your store is on the list below, you’ll soon get a chance to experience it again.

REOPENING TODAY:

REOPENING IN MAY/JUNE:

Image source: Big Lots