Big Lots was basically left for dead in late 2024. Most of us saw the "Everything Must Go" signs and figured that was it for the discount giant. But retail is weird, and sometimes a bankruptcy filing is just a really loud, expensive reset button.
Honestly, the comeback has been faster than anyone expected. As of this week, the latest phase of the company's "rebirth" is official. Big Lots reopens 73 more stores in 13 states, pushing the total number of resurrected locations to over 200. This isn't just a handful of shops cleaning the windows and unlocking the doors; it’s a full-scale attempt to save a brand that almost vanished.
If you’ve driven past your local store and saw the lights on, you aren’t seeing things. They're back.
How we got here (The short version)
To understand why this is happening now, you have to look at the mess of last September. Big Lots filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after getting hammered by inflation and high interest rates. People stopped buying big-ticket couches and patio sets, which was a huge chunk of their business.
It looked grim.
A deal with a private equity firm fell through, and for a minute, it seemed like every single store would vanish. Then, a last-minute rescue happened. Variety Wholesalers—the folks who run Roses Discount Stores—stepped in and grabbed 219 locations.
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They didn't just buy the name. They bought the leases, the inventory, and a second chance.
The strategy since then has been a phased rollout. They started small in April with nine stores. Then came a massive wave in May. This latest jump, involving those 73 stores across 13 states, is the final piece of the initial 219-store puzzle.
Where the doors are opening
This isn't a nationwide blanket opening. It’s surgical. Variety Wholesalers is focusing on regions where they already have a footprint or where the "treasure hunt" shopping style really thrives.
The 13 states seeing these 73 "new" stores include:
- The South: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
- The Midwest & Northeast: Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Pennsylvania.
North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania are the big winners here. They have the highest concentration of reopened spots. If you're in a place like Columbus, OH, or Greensboro, NC, you've likely already seen the grand reopening banners.
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It’s not the same Big Lots you remember
Kinda. The logo is the same, but the inside feels different. Variety Wholesalers CEO Lisa Seigies has been pretty vocal about the fact that the "old" Big Lots model was broken.
The new stores are leaning heavily into apparel. That's a huge shift. Before, you might find a random pack of socks or a t-shirt near the registers. Now, there are dedicated clothing departments for the whole family.
They’re also backing away from the massive furniture displays that used to take up half the floor. Don't get me wrong, you can still find a rug or a desk, but the focus has shifted back to "closeout" deals—those weird, wonderful, brand-name items that they buy for pennies and sell for slightly more.
It feels more like an Ollie’s Bargain Outlet or a T.J. Maxx now. You go in for paper towels and walk out with a $4 designer lamp and a box of cereal you've never heard of.
The 2026 Outlook: Is it sustainable?
The retail world is brutal right now. While Big Lots is reopening, other chains are folding.
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What makes this attempt interesting is the ownership. Variety Wholesalers knows the discount space. They aren't trying to be a mini-Walmart. They’re trying to be a high-speed liquidator.
Wait, what about the other stores?
It's important to be clear: the 219 stores being reopened by Variety Wholesalers are a fraction of the original 1,400+ locations. If your local Big Lots wasn't on the "save" list, it's likely being turned into something else. In places like Poughkeepsie, NY, or across parts of New Jersey, former Big Lots buildings are already being snatched up by Ross Dress for Less or Ocean State Job Lot.
Basically, if your store is one of the lucky 73 reopening this week, consider it a survivor.
What you should do next
If you're a regular shopper or just looking for a deal, there are a few things to keep in mind for these reopened locations:
- Check the inventory frequently. The new model relies on "waves" of closeout stock. What’s there on Tuesday might be gone by Friday.
- Look for the "Grand Opening" events. Most of these 73 stores are planning major celebrations throughout the coming weeks, often involving extra discounts or giveaways to get people back in the habit of visiting.
- Sign up for the rewards program again. Most of the old data stayed with the brand, so your "Big Rewards" should still function, though you might need to re-verify your info at the kiosk.
- Expect some "rough" edges. Management has admitted the stores won't be perfect immediately. They are stocking as fast as the trucks can arrive.
The fact that we are even talking about Big Lots reopening in 2026 is a minor miracle in the retail world. Whether they can actually compete with the likes of Dollar General or Temu in the long run is still an open question, but for now, the lights are back on and the deals are hitting the shelves.