If you’ve driven down Highway 95 lately, you’ve probably seen the signs. It’s hard to miss them. Big Lots in Lake Havasu City has been a staple for years, tucked into that shopping center near the corner of Palo Verde Boulevard. It’s where you go when you need a patio set that doesn’t cost three months' rent or when you just want to browse the weird, wonderful snack aisle for those international cookies you can't find at Safeway. But things have changed. If you’re looking for Big Lots Lake Havasu, you aren’t just looking for store hours anymore. You’re likely looking for answers about whether the doors are staying open or if the "Going Out of Business" banners are finally coming down for good.
The retail landscape in Arizona is shifting fast. It’s kind of wild. One day a brand is a household name, and the next, it’s filing for Chapter 11. That’s exactly where we are with Big Lots. The company, which has been around since 1967, hit a massive wall recently. It’s not just Havasu; it’s everywhere. But for those of us in Mohave County, the local impact is what matters. You want to know if you can still get your seasonal decor or if that building is about to become another empty shell in the desert heat.
The Reality of the Lake Havasu Closure
Let’s get the elephant out of the room. The Big Lots at 1650 McCulloch Blvd N is on the list. Specifically, it was part of the massive wave of closures announced following the company’s bankruptcy filing in late 2024. This wasn't just a "let's trim the fat" move. It was a "we are fighting for our lives" move. Nexus Capital Management eventually stepped in to acquire the company’s assets, but that didn't save every location. Havasu got the short end of the stick.
It’s a bummer. Honestly, the store served a very specific niche in town. While we have Walmart and we have Target, Big Lots was that middle ground where you could find high-quality furniture closeouts and random home goods without the chaos of a supercenter. The closure process for the Lake Havasu City location followed the standard bankruptcy liquidation playbook.
First came the 10% off signs. Then 30%. Then 70%. By the time a store like this reaches its final days, the shelves are usually a skeleton crew of random items—single rolls of wrapping paper, obscure kitchen gadgets, and the display fixtures themselves. If you’ve been inside recently, you know the vibe. It’s quiet. It’s a bit somber. The employees, many of whom have lived in Havasu for decades, are usually the ones bearing the brunt of the transition.
Why Big Lots Struggled in Arizona
You might wonder why a store in a growing city like Lake Havasu couldn't make it. The population is booming. People are moving in from California and the Midwest. Houses are being built. So why fail now?
Basically, it’s a perfect storm of bad luck and shifting habits. Big Lots relies on "discretionary spending." That’s fancy talk for the money people have left over after paying for gas and groceries. In a high-inflation environment, that extra cash vanished. For a store that sells "wants" more than "needs," that's a death sentence.
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Furthermore, the "treasure hunt" model—where you go in not knowing what you'll find—has moved online. People do their treasure hunting on Temu or Amazon now. They don’t drive to a brick-and-mortar store to see if there’s a discounted rug in stock. They just search for it on their phones while sitting on their current couch. In Lake Havasu specifically, the competition for home goods is surprisingly stiff. With several thrift stores that do high-volume furniture business and the presence of larger national chains, Big Lots just got squeezed out.
The Impact on Local Shoppers
For the locals, this is about more than just a place to buy cheap pillows. It’s about convenience. If you live on the north side of town, hitting that shopping center was easy. You’d grab a coffee, hit the grocery store, and swing by Big Lots. Now, that retail "anchor" is gone.
What happens next to that space? That’s the $64,000 question. Large retail footprints in Lake Havasu don't always fill up overnight. We’ve seen other spaces sit empty for a while before a gym or a Hobby Lobby or a discount clothing retailer moves in. The city’s economic development team is likely working on it, but for now, it’s a gap in the local economy.
Understanding the Bankruptcy and Sale
To understand the fate of the Havasu store, you have to look at the bigger picture. Big Lots filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. They cited high interest rates and a "pullback" in consumer spending. It sounds like a generic excuse, but the numbers back it up. The company was losing hundreds of millions of dollars.
When Nexus Capital Management bought them out, they were looking for a leaner, meaner version of the company. That meant cutting stores that weren't performing at a certain threshold or where the rent was too high. Unfortunately, the Big Lots Lake Havasu location fell into that category. It’s not necessarily that people weren't shopping there; it’s that the cost of keeping that specific lightbulb on was higher than the profit it generated.
It's a cold way to look at a neighborhood store. But that's retail.
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What Happens to Your Rewards and Gift Cards?
If you have a Big Lots credit card or a stash of "Big Rewards" points, you’re probably feeling a bit panicked. Here’s the deal: Generally, during a bankruptcy and sale process, gift cards are honored for a specific window of time. If a store is closing, they usually stop accepting them a few weeks before the final lock is turned.
If you have rewards points, use them. Now. Don’t wait. Even if the Havasu store is already in its final liquidation phase, you might be able to use them at the nearest remaining location—which, for Havasu residents, often means a drive to Bullhead City or Kingman, assuming those locations survived the cull. Always call ahead before making the trek.
The Broader Retail Trend in Mohave County
Lake Havasu City isn't an island, even if it feels like one sometimes. The retail shifts we’re seeing with Big Lots are happening across the county. We’re seeing a "hollowing out" of the middle-tier retailer. You either have to be the cheapest (Dollar General, Five Below) or the biggest (Walmart, Costco). Being in the middle is a dangerous place to be right now.
- Convenience vs. Cost: Shoppers are choosing between the absolute lowest price or the absolute highest convenience. Big Lots tried to do both, and it's a hard line to walk.
- The "Havasu Tax": Shipping goods into the desert costs money. Logistically, Havasu is a bit of an outlier for distribution networks, which can eat into the margins of a discount retailer.
- The Seasonal Surge: Havasu's economy is highly seasonal. A store has to make enough in the winter and spring to survive the quiet, blistering summers. If you miss your marks in March, you're in trouble by August.
Alternatives for Havasu Residents
Since the Big Lots Lake Havasu store is transitioning out, where are people going?
If you were a fan of their furniture, you’re probably looking at local spots like Michael Alan Furniture & Design, though that’s a step up in price point. For the bargain hunters, the various "Havasu Bargains" Facebook groups and local thrift stores like those benefiting the Western Arizona Humane Society have become the go-to.
For the home goods and "odds and ends," Ross Dress for Less and TJ Maxx on the south side of town continue to soak up that "treasure hunt" energy. It’s just a different experience. You don't get the same bulk food items or the weirdly specific hardware section that Big Lots offered.
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What to Do Before the Store Completely Vanishes
If the Lake Havasu location is still in its final days of liquidation, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
- Check the Warranty: If you buy furniture or electronics during a closing sale, remember that "All Sales Are Final." If that recliner breaks in two weeks, you can't take it back to a store that doesn't exist. Check if there's a manufacturer's warranty you can register online.
- Inspect Everything: Liquidation stores are chaotic. Boxes get opened, parts get lost. Before you haul a bookshelf home, make sure the hardware kit is actually inside the box.
- Don't Expect Customer Service: The staff is likely stressed and looking for their next jobs. Be kind. They aren't the ones who decided to close the store.
- Negotiate on Fixtures: Towards the very end, stores often sell the actual shelves, rolling racks, and office furniture. If you have a garage or a small business, you can get high-grade commercial shelving for pennies on the dollar.
The Future of the 1650 McCulloch Blvd Space
Property owners in Havasu know that a vacant 30,000-square-foot building is a liability. It invites vandalism and looks bad for the city's image. The hope is that the space won't stay dark for long. There’s been talk in the community about what should go there. Some want an Aldi—though the chain has been slow to move into rural Arizona. Others want an indoor pickleball facility or a niche grocery store like Trader Joe’s (everyone always wants a Trader Joe's).
The reality? It’ll likely be another national discount chain or perhaps a split-use space. The zoning for that area is prime, so it's a valuable piece of real estate.
Final Thoughts on the Big Lots Situation
It's easy to dismiss a store closure as just "business," but for a community like Lake Havasu, it matters. It changes where you walk, where you see your neighbors, and how you spend your Saturday mornings. The Big Lots Lake Havasu closure marks the end of an era for that shopping center.
If you’re a regular shopper, take one last walk through. Grab that weird brand of sparkling water you like. Say thanks to the cashier who’s been there for five years. Retail is changing, and while we might get something "better" in that space eventually, the loss of a reliable discount option hurts the wallet in the short term.
Actionable Steps for Displaced Shoppers:
- Download the Apps: If you’re pivoting to stores like Ross or Marshalls, get their apps to track new shipments so you don't miss out on the "treasure hunt" items.
- Check Bullhead City: If you absolutely must have Big Lots branded items (like their Broyhill furniture line), the Bullhead City location has historically been a stronger performer, though you should check its status before driving the hour north.
- Support Local Thrift: Redirect your "browsing" time to local non-profit thrift stores. They need the inventory and the foot traffic, and the money stays in the Havasu community.
- Monitor City Council Minutes: If you’re curious about what’s moving into the old building, keep an eye on the Lake Havasu City Planning & Zoning meetings. New leases for large spaces usually require some level of public record or permit filing.