Some exciting news for bargain hunters — Big Lots is back! After months of uncertainty and a major shift in ownership, Variety Wholesalers has announced the first wave of store reopenings under the Big Lots banner, starting this Thursday.
New Life for a Legacy Retailer
The discount retail chain, which filed for bankruptcy last fall, is getting a second chance thanks to Variety Wholesalers, which recently acquired 219 Big Lots locations. The company is now rolling out a plan to reopen stores in four waves, beginning with nine locations across six states — Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
According to the company, shoppers can look forward to:
- Remodeled stores
- Fresh inventory
- Expanded product categories
- And, of course, deep discounts on popular brands
Fast-Tracked Reopenings with More to Come
The initial nine-store reopening is just the beginning. A second, much larger wave of around 55 stores is slated to open its doors on May 1, with the remaining locations making a comeback by early June. All of this is building toward a massive grand opening celebration planned for the fall of 2025.
States like Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and West Virginia are next in line to welcome reopened Big Lots stores.
CEO Promises a Bigger, Better Big Lots
“We’re thrilled to bring the Big Lots! brand back to life,” said Lisa Seigies, CEO of Variety Wholesalers. “We’re opening stores quickly so we can serve the community. While they might not be perfect from day one, we’ll be adding new products each week leading up to our grand celebration.”
One exciting addition: the new Big Lots stores will include a brand-new apparel department for the whole family — a first for many longtime customers.
A New Chapter After a Rough Year
Big Lots, which has been a staple in American retail since the 1960s, entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy last September, citing high inflation, rising interest rates, and a sharp decline in discretionary spending among its core customers.
Despite these challenges, the brand now appears poised for a strong comeback under new management.
So, if you’ve missed hunting for home deals or scoring steals on seasonal goods, get ready — Big Lots may be coming back to your neighborhood, bigger and better than ever.
