After a turbulent year marked by bankruptcy and widespread store closures, Big Lots is poised for a significant resurgence. The discount retailer has announced plans to open at least 130 stores by mid-May, signaling a robust comeback under the new ownership of Variety Wholesalers.
Big Lots Rolls Out Store Openings in Strategic Phases
Big Lots is staging a bold return this week with a series of phased store openings across the United States. Following its announcement to launch stores in waves throughout 2025, the retailer will reopen 60 locations across 12 states on Thursday, May 1st—just weeks after nine stores resumed operations across six states on April 10th. The momentum will continue on May 15th, when 70 additional locations are scheduled to open, with more slated to follow into early June.
“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 Variety Wholesalers CEO Lisa Seigies in an April 4th news release.
Big Lots faced significant financial challenges leading to its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in September 2024. The company accumulated approximately $3.1 billion in debt, prompting the closure of over 1,000 stores across the country.
In December 2024, a deal was struck with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, a firm specializing in distressed companies. Subsequently, Variety Wholesalers, known for operating Roses and Maxway stores, acquired 219 Big Lots locations and two distribution centers.
Which Big Lots Stores Are Opening on May 1st?
Here’s the complete list of Big Lots stores that are scheduled to open on May 1st:
ALABAMA
- 5363 HWY 90 W STE C, MOBILE
- 603 US HWY 72 W, ATHENS
- 1820 6TH AVE SE, DECATUR
- 2821 MONTGOMERY HIGHWAY, DOTHAN
GEORGIA
- 558 BATTLEFIELD PKWY, FORT OGLETHORPE
- 323 HABERSHAM VILLAGE CIR, CORNELIA
- 1803 KNIGHT AVE STE A2, WAYCROSS
- 4420 ALTAMA AVE STE C2, BRUNSWICK
- 110 E NORTHSIDE DR, VALDOSTA
- 2708 PEACH ORCHARD RD, AUGUSTA
INDIANA
- 195 S US HWY 231, JASPE
KENTUCKY
- 200 SYCAMORE ST STE 151, ELIZABETHTOWN
- 472 EASTERN BYP, RICHMOND
- 1714 PERRYVILLE RD STE 400, DANVILLE
- 942 HAPPY VALLEY RD, GLASGOW
MICHIGAN
- 4157 E. COURT STREET, BURTON
- 5112 MILLER RD, FLINT
- 7651 23 MILE RD, SHELBY TOWNSHIP
NORTH CAROLINA
- 1504 N BRIDGE ST, ELKIN
- 1826 W US HWY 421 STE K, WILKESBORO
- 526C US HIGHWAY 70 SW, HICKORY
- 2725 NORTHWEST BLVD, NEWTO
- 2587 W FRANKLIN BLVD, GASTONIA
- 1328 CARTER ST, MOUNT AIR
- 1063 YADKINVILLE RD, MOCKSVILLE
- 100 WESTWOOD VILLAGE DR, CLEMMONS
- 12295 CAPITAL BLVD, WAKE FOREST
- 1110 JULIAN R ALLSBROOK HWY, ROANOKE RAPIDS
- 955 N WESLEYAN BLVD, ROCKY MOUNT
- 4956 LONG BEACH RD SE, STE 8, SOUTHPORT
- 2407 N HERRITAGE ST STE E, KINSTON
OHIO
- 4331 MAHONING AVE NW, WARREN
- 7100 SOUTH AVE, YOUNGSTOWN
- 1965 W STATE ST, ALLIANCE
- 408 BLUEBELL DR NW, NEW PHILADELPHIA
- 498 CADIZ RD, WINTERSVILLE
- 56104 NATIONAL RD, BRIDGEPORT
- 6300 E LIVINGSTON AVE, REYNOLDSBURG
PENNSYLVANIA
- 866 SCRANTON CARBONDALE HWY, EYNON
- 1010 ONEILL HWY, DUNMORE
- 7405 WESTBRANCH HWY, LEWISBURG
SOUTH CAROLINA
- 2349 CHERRY RD STE 79, ROCK HILL
- 1000 N PINE ST, SPARTANBURG
- 915 S ST STE A, SIMPSONVILLE
- 1023A S PENDLETON ST, EASLEY
TENNESSEE
- 1262 NW BROAD ST, MURFREESBORO
- 4825 N BROADWAY ST, KNOXVILLE
- 420 PARK BLVD, ROGERSVILLE
- 840 25TH ST NW, CLEVELAND
VIRGINIA
- 1090 MILLWOOD PIKE, WINCHESTER
- 260 REMOUNT RD, FRONT ROYAL
- 2715 W MAIN ST, WAYNESBORO
- 4300 PORTSMOUTH BLVD, CHESAPEAKE
- 2646 GREENSBORO RD, MARTINSVILLE
WEST VIRGINIA
- 1228 COUNTRY CLUB RD, FAIRMONT
- 104 THOMPSON DR, BRIDGEPORT
- 710 BEVERLY PIKE, ELKINS
- 118 HILLS PLZ, CHARLESTON
- 110 EAGLE SCHOOL RD, MARTINSBURG
- 7200 MCCORKLE AVE SE, CHARLESTON
More retailers join the Big Lots store takeover
In addition to Variety Wholesalers’ acquisition, several other discount chains have stepped in to take over former Big Lots spaces. In March 2025, Ocean State Job Lot—a Rhode Island-based retailer—announced it would acquire 15 Big Lots stores across the Northeast, including locations in New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont.
Earlier in February, Ollie’s Bargain Outlet revealed plans to purchase 40 former Big Lots locations, further expanding its national footprint amid Big Lots’ bankruptcy-driven restructuring.
Source: USA Today