If you’ve driven down the chaotic stretch of Tonnelle Avenue recently, you’ve probably noticed the massive "Closing" signs plastered across the Big Lots in North Bergen. It’s a weird sight. This store has been a staple for locals looking to snag cheap patio furniture or weirdly specific brands of off-brand snacks for years. But honestly, the news shouldn't come as a total shock if you've been following the retail apocalypse hitting discount chains lately.
Big Lots is struggling. Hard.
The North Bergen location at 7701 Tonnelle Ave is part of a massive wave of closures sweeping across the country as the parent company tries to stay afloat under Chapter 11 bankruptcy. It sucks for the neighborhood. This wasn't just a place to buy cheap towels; it was one of the few spots in a high-density area where you could get home essentials without paying the "boutique" markup found in more gentrified parts of Hudson County.
Why the North Bergen Big Lots is Closing Now
The bankruptcy filing in late 2024 was the final nail in the coffin for dozens of New Jersey locations. For the North Bergen spot, it basically came down to the math. Rent on Tonnelle Avenue isn't exactly "discount" pricing anymore. While Big Lots struggled with declining sales—mostly because people stopped buying big-ticket items like couches during the inflation spike—their overhead stayed high.
You’ve probably seen the liquidation sales. They started at 10% or 20% off, which, let's be real, isn't much of a deal when the base prices were already rising. But as the weeks crawl by, those discounts are hitting 50% to 70%. It’s a scavengers' paradise right now.
✨ Don't miss: Rough Tax Return Calculator: How to Estimate Your Refund Without Losing Your Mind
Retail experts like those at GlobalData Retail have pointed out that Big Lots got stuck in a "no-man's land." They weren't quite as cheap as Dollar General, and they didn't have the "cool factor" or massive grocery selection of Target. In a competitive market like North Bergen, where you have a Walmart nearby and various specialty discount shops, Big Lots just lost its edge.
The Tonnelle Avenue Retail Reality
Tonnelle Avenue is a beast. It’s one of the busiest commercial corridors in North Jersey, serving as a primary artery for people commuting toward the Lincoln Tunnel or up into Bergen County. You’d think that foot traffic—or wheel traffic—would save any business.
Not necessarily.
The logistics of that specific lot can be a nightmare. Turning into that shopping center during rush hour? Forget about it. Many shoppers started opting for the convenience of Amazon or the more organized experience of the newer developments further down in Edgewater or North Bergen’s 86th Street cluster.
🔗 Read more: Replacement Walk In Cooler Doors: What Most People Get Wrong About Efficiency
What This Means for Local Shoppers
If you’re a regular, you're likely wondering where to go next. Honestly, the options are shifting. With Big Lots exiting, there’s a vacuum for "closeout" style shopping. You still have the Walmart Supercenter just a few minutes away, but that’s a different vibe. It’s more crowded, more intense, and lacks that weird "treasure hunt" feeling Big Lots was known for.
For those who relied on Big Lots for furniture, the loss is bigger. Finding a $400 sofa that doesn't fall apart in a week is getting harder. You might have to trek over to the IKEA in Paramus or check out the Bob’s Discount Furniture nearby, though the price points aren't always a direct match.
- Inventory Status: As of early 2026, the shelves are thinning.
- Fixture Sales: Keep an eye out for the "everything must go" phase where they literally sell the metal shelving and clothing racks.
- Employment: It’s a tough break for the local staff. Many of these workers have been there for years, navigating the holiday rushes and the chaotic Saturday afternoons.
The Bigger Picture: New Jersey's Retail Shift
The North Bergen closure isn't an isolated incident. Across Jersey, from Woodbridge to Ledgewood, Big Lots is retreating. It reflects a shift in how we spend money. We’re either buying the absolute cheapest thing on Temu or we’re saving up for something high-end. The middle ground—the "decently priced" stuff—is dying out.
Commercial real estate analysts suggest that the 7701 Tonnelle Ave space won't stay empty for long. The location is too valuable. There’s already chatter about what could move in. Maybe a gym? A self-storage facility? Or perhaps another discount player like Lidl or Aldi looking to expand their footprint in the densely populated North Hudson area.
💡 You might also like: Share Market Today Closed: Why the Benchmarks Slipped and What You Should Do Now
How to Handle the Liquidation Phase
If you're going to head down there before the doors lock for good, go with a plan. Don't just buy stuff because it has a yellow sticker on it.
- Check the Expiration Dates: Big Lots was famous for closeout food. In a closing store, some of that stock might have been sitting in the back for a while.
- Inspect the Furniture: All sales are final. If you buy a dining table and realize a leg is cracked when you get it to your apartment in Union City, you're stuck with it. No returns. Period.
- Timing is Everything: The best stuff goes early at 30% off. The junk lingers until it's 90% off. If you want a specific rug or a vacuum, buy it now. If you want seasonal decorations or random kitchen gadgets, wait.
It’s kind of a bummer to see it go. There’s a certain nostalgia for these big-box stores that filled our homes with "good enough" furniture during our first apartment years. But retail evolves. The North Bergen landscape is changing, and while Big Lots is leaving a hole on Tonnelle Ave, something else will inevitably fill the space.
Final Steps for Impacted Customers
Stop by the store before the end of the month if you have any outstanding gift cards. Once the store closes its registers for the final time, those cards become significantly harder to use—usually requiring a long drive to a surviving location or navigating a clunky online portal that might not even be active depending on the bankruptcy proceedings.
Check your rewards points, too. Use 'em or lose 'em. Also, if you bought a protection plan on a large item recently, dig up your paperwork. These plans are often handled by third-party companies like Allstate/SquareTrade, so your warranty might still be valid even if the store is a ghost town.
Take a final lap through the aisles if you're in the neighborhood. It’s the end of an era for that specific corner of North Bergen.