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The national discount retailer that acquired a chunk of Big Lots stores out of bankruptcy has begun rolling out its first wave of remodeled Big Lots locations across the U.S., from Louisiana and Mississippi to Virginia.
In total, nine locations are now reopening, a process that began on April 10, with over 200 more on the way, according to a press release.
But none of those locations will be in Nassau or Suffolk counties — or anywhere in New York state, a spokesperson for Variety Wholesalers has confirmed with Greater Long Island.
“Unfortunately, the New York locations weren’t acquired, so they won’t be part of the stores reopening under the Big Lots! banner,” the spokesperson said.
But snowbirds will soon enough find some in Florida.
The closest new store for New Yorkers is slated to open at 2911 Hershberger Road in Roanoke, Va.
How it happened
Big Lots Inc. filed for bankruptcy in September and in December announced it would close all of its nearly 1,000 stores nationwide. At the time, Bruce Thorn, Big Lots’ president and CEO said that “in order to protect the value of the Big Lots estate, we have made the difficult decision to begin the GOB (going out business) process.”
Then in January, Gordon Brothers, acquired Big Lots in bankruptcy court, in a package that included purchasing the intellectual property, inventory and some stores. That investment firm then pivoted and arranged to sell 219 stores to Variety Wholesalers, according to news reports.
The deal, after Variety executes the openings, would increase the company’s existing footprint of 400 stores by 50 percent.
According to this report from January, if the new Big Lots inventory reflects the existing Variety brands, the stores would be less furniture-centric.
‘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,” Lisa Seigies, president and CEO of Variety Wholesalers, 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!”
In addition to the initial nine locations, Variety Wholesalers plans to reopen Big Lots stores in North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and West Virginia, among other states.
A Big Lots discount chain store with a Store Closing sign in the front window is in Vestal, New York, on Tuesday December 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
