Variety Wholesalers, which acquired 219 Big Lots’ discount stores in January is reopening 132 more stores in May. Big Lots stores comeback is as the bankrupt discount retailer works to rebuild its brand under new ownership. The retail revival for 2025 follows the positive customer reaction to the initial reopening of nine Big Lots stores in April. As per the company, the stores shall continue to operate under the Big Lots name.
Variety Wholesalers CEO Lisa Seigies said, “We’re excited to bring an additional 132 Big Lots! locations back to life in May.” She added, “The customer response to the newly expanded assortment of fresh inventory and great deals has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Big Lots’ recovery from bankruptcy
Big Lots filed for bankruptcy in September 2024 and moved to liquidate its stores. the company reached a last-minute deal to be acquired by Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, a Boston-based asset advisory firm in December. Between 200 and 400 Big Lots stores that were on the verge of closing were acquired by Variety Wholesalers as part of that agreement. Variety Wholesalers is a discount retailer with more than 400 stores in the U.S. Variety Wholesalers continues to operate them under the Big Lots brand. At the time it was sold, Big Lots had total of 869 stores.
Big Lots reopening schedule
As per the reports, Big Lots reopening will start in phases, in the first phase the stores were remodeled with a reduced furniture assortment, more apparel offering, and no longer any perishable food items. The May reopenings located in 14 states across the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest, will take place in two phases: 54 stores are slated to open on May 1, and the rest on May 15. Additional reopenings are expected in June.
Big Lots discontinues perishables
According to a report on Modern Retail, Big Lots will continue to offer a selection of shelf-stable groceries, but will no longer offer perishables.
Big Lots stores treasure-hunt
The Big Lots stores will focus on discounted brand-name merchandise in a treasure-hunt atmosphere, Variety said in announcing the reopenings.
Big Lots reopening locations
Listed here are the Big Lots locations that are reopenings, in May 2025:
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
Southaven
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.
