You know the feeling when you’re driving up the hill in East Franklin Township, passing that familiar sprawl of asphalt near the Route 28 and Route 422 interchange? Most people head to the Hilltop Plaza with a single, boring mission: groceries or a quick pharmacy run. But honestly, the Big Lots Kittanning PA location has survived the retail apocalypse for a reason that isn't immediately obvious to the casual shopper. It’s not just a store. It’s a weirdly reliable barometer for the local economy.
Retail is changing. Fast. While giant department stores in Pittsburgh are folding like card tables, the Kittanning Big Lots remains a staple for Armstrong County residents who need a $400 sofa or a specific brand of off-brand Keurig pods that you can’t find at the nearby Giant Eagle.
Why Big Lots Kittanning PA Still Matters in a Digital World
Digital shopping was supposed to kill discount brick-and-mortar. It didn't.
Actually, the Kittanning location at 170 Hilltop Plz serves a geographic dead zone that Amazon Prime still hasn't fully conquered. If you live in Ford City, Worthington, or deeper into the rural pockets of the county, waiting two days for a delivery isn't always an option when your patio chairs blow away in a thunderstorm or you realize you're out of cleaning supplies for a Sunday dinner.
The footprint of this specific store is surprisingly large. It’s a "Big Format" store compared to some of the cramped, older locations you might find in decaying suburban strips closer to the city. Here, they have the floor space to actually display the furniture, which is the secret engine of the company’s survival. You’ve probably noticed the Broyhill and Real Living brands dominating the back half of the store. That’s not an accident. Big Lots pivoted hard into "home" because they realized they couldn't compete with Walmart on boxes of cereal alone.
The Furniture Gambit
Most locals don't realize that the Big Lots Kittanning PA store is essentially a furniture showroom masquerading as a closeout grocery.
Think about it. Where else in Kittanning can you walk in, sit on a sectional, and walk out with it the same hour? The options are limited. By positioning themselves as a high-volume furniture dealer, they’ve managed to capture the "middle-out" demographic of Armstrong County—people who want something nicer than a folding chair but aren't ready to spend $3,000 at a high-end boutique in Cranberry.
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The Reality of the "Closeout" Myth
Let's clear something up.
People think Big Lots is still just a "closeout" store where items go to die. That hasn't been true for years. While you can still find the occasional pallet of discontinued pumpkin spice Oreos in July, about 70% of the inventory at the Kittanning location is now "never-out" merchandise. This means they order it specifically for their shelves just like any other retailer.
The "treasure hunt" aspect—that feeling that you might find a designer rug for twenty bucks—is carefully curated. Retail experts, like those at GlobalData Retail, often point out that this psychological "hunt" is what keeps foot traffic high even when inflation bites. In Kittanning, where the median household income hovers around $50,000, that value proposition isn't just a marketing slogan. It's a survival strategy for the community.
Layout and Flow
If you haven't been inside lately, the layout is basically a giant "U."
- The Right Side: Seasonal decor. This is their bread and butter. If it's October, it's Christmas. If it's April, it's gazebos.
- The Center: Consumables. Toilet paper, snacks, and those weirdly delicious imported cookies.
- The Left Side and Back: Furniture and mattresses. This is the high-margin zone.
Navigating the Hilltop Plaza Logistics
Getting to the Big Lots Kittanning PA can be a pain during the afternoon rush. The intersection where 422 meets the plaza entrance is notorious for bottlenecking, especially when the light timing feels off.
Parking is rarely an issue, though. The lot is massive. However, a pro-tip for anyone picking up furniture: don't try to load it at the front door. There is a designated loading area, and the staff at this location are generally more accommodating than the skeletal crews you see at bigger big-box stores. They’ve lived in the area. They know your cousin. That’s the Kittanning way.
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The Rewards Program: Is it a Scam?
Honestly? No. But it’s aggressive.
The "Big Rewards" program is one of the few that actually pays off if you’re doing a big spend. For example, they frequently run "Earn $10 for every $50 spent" deals. If you’re buying a $600 couch at the Kittanning store, that’s $120 in store credit. For a household on a budget, that’s a month’s worth of laundry detergent and snacks.
But you have to be careful. The coupons expire fast. It’s a classic "burn" strategy to get you back in the store within 30 days. If you aren't a frequent shopper at the Hilltop Plaza, the rewards might just sit in your email until they're worthless.
What Most People Get Wrong About Inventory
You’ll hear people complain that "they never have what’s in the ad."
Here is the inside scoop: The Big Lots Kittanning PA location receives trucks on a specific schedule, usually mid-week. If you go on a Saturday morning looking for a heavily advertised "Black Friday" style deal, you’re likely fighting over the scraps.
Local regulars know to check the endcaps near the food section. This is where the real closeouts—the stuff they actually need to get rid of—end up. We’re talking name-brand shampoos with a slightly dented bottle or seasonal snacks that are one week past their "best by" date but still perfectly fine.
The Economic Ripple Effect
When we talk about business in Kittanning, we have to talk about employment.
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Big Lots isn't just a place to buy cheap towels. It’s one of the consistent employers in East Franklin. Unlike the "flash-in-the-pan" boutiques that open and close in downtown Kittanning, this anchor store provides steady, albeit retail-wage, jobs. In a county that has seen its fair share of industrial decline, the stability of the Hilltop Plaza—anchored by Big Lots and its neighbors—is a vital piece of the tax base.
The closure of any major anchor in this plaza would be a disaster for the local infrastructure. Thankfully, the Kittanning branch consistently performs well in regional metrics, largely because the nearest competition is a significant drive away in Butler or Indiana, PA.
Smart Shopping Strategies for Armstrong County Residents
- Check the Furniture Clearance: The Kittanning store often marks down floor models on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. If a sofa has a tiny scuff on the back where nobody will see it, you can sometimes negotiate an extra 10% off if you speak to a manager.
- The "Big One" Sales: Twice a year, they do a 20% off the entire store weekend. This includes furniture. If you’re planning a move in Kittanning, time it for these weekends.
- Avoid the Weekend Rush: Sunday after church is the worst time to go. The lines back up, and the staff is usually stretched thin. Tuesday mornings are the "sweet spot" for a quiet, organized store.
The Future of Big Lots in Kittanning
There’s been a lot of talk about the corporate parent company, Big Lots Inc., struggling with debt. It’s true. They’ve closed several stores nationwide in the last year.
However, the Big Lots Kittanning PA location is generally considered "safe" in the near term. Why? Because it serves a rural-suburban hybrid market where the cost of operation is lower than in a city, and the customer loyalty is significantly higher.
In Kittanning, people value the ability to touch a product before they buy it. They value the fact that they can drive five minutes up the hill and solve a household problem immediately. As long as the Hilltop Plaza remains the primary shopping hub for the county, this store is likely to remain a fixture.
Actionable Next Steps for Shoppers
- Audit your "Big Rewards" account: If you haven't logged in lately, check for "Bonus Rewards" that often appear without notification. The Kittanning store can look up your account via phone number at the register.
- Measure your space: Before heading to the Hilltop Plaza for furniture, measure your doorways. A common issue at this location is customers buying the oversized sectionals only to realize they won't fit through the front door of a traditional Kittanning Victorian house.
- Verify Store Hours: While generally open 9 AM to 9 PM, holiday hours at the Kittanning location can shift. Call ahead at (724) 545-1254 if you’re making a long drive from the outskirts of the county.
- Inspect the "Gourmet" Aisle: This is the most underrated part of the store. They often stock high-end olive oils and imported pastas that are significantly cheaper than the specialty aisles at standard supermarkets.