[Update as of June 2, 2025] The reopening of 78 Big Lots stores on June 5 will mark the fourth and final phase of the retailer’s physical store rebirth under its new owner, Variety Wholesalers, which will have reopened a total of 219 stores since purchasing assets from the bankrupt retailer in December 2024. The 78 stores slated for reopening this week are located in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
Overall, the phased reopenings, which began in May, have been successful enough for Variety Wholesalers to explore options for acquiring additional Big Lots locations. “The connection with the communities we serve, and the positive customer feedback has been more than we could have imagined,” said Lisa Seigies, President and CEO of Variety Wholesalers in a statement. “This enthusiastic response reinforces our believe that taking Big Lots back to the roots of what made it a huge success resonates with our customers.”
[Update as of April 28, 2025] Variety Wholesalers will reopen 132 Big Lots stores across 14 states next month in two phases, on May 1 and May 15. Variety Wholesalers was one of the purchasers of the bankrupt Big Lots stores in a December 2024 deal with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, and earlier this month the company announced it would reopen a total of 219 Big Lots stores by June 2025.
“The customer response to the newly expanded assortment of fresh inventory and great deals has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Lisa Seigies, President and CEO of Variety Wholesalers in a statement. “The Big Lots stores opening in May show our continued commitment to providing the best value to our customers with apparel for the family, everyday needs for the home, kitchen and pantry plus a huge selection of famous brands.”
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The May openings will take place in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
Original story from April 7, 2025 begins-
Variety Wholesalers, one of the purchasers of assets from the bankrupt Big Lots discount chain, will reopen a total of 219 stores under the Big Lots banner, beginning on April 10, 2025 with nine locations in six states: Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. The retailer will reopen the remaining Big Lots locations in waves, beginning with approximately 55 stores scheduled to open their doors on May 1 and the remainder opening through early June, leading up to a grand opening celebration this fall.
In addition to the initial nine stores, Variety Wholesalers plans to open Big Lots stores in states including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and West Virginia.
Big Lots struck a deal with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners in December 2024 that allowed the transfer of its assets, including its stores, DCs and intellectual property, to other companies, including Variety Wholesalers, which operates more than 400 stores in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic under banners including Roses, Roses Express, Maxway, Bill’s Dollar Stores and Bargain Town.
“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,” said Lisa Seigies, President and CEO of Variety Wholesalers 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 toward the grand opening celebration in the fall.”
