(NEXSTAR) — After closing their doors amid a months-long bankruptcy process, several Big Lots stores are set to reopen under new management.
Earlier this year, Big Lots closed a previously announced sale agreement with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners. As part of the deal, Variety Wholesalers was set to acquire 200 to 400 Big Lots stores, which would retain the Big Lots branding, and two distribution centers.
Now, nine of those stores across six states are set to reopen on Thursday, April 10.
Here's where those stores are located:
- Kentucky: Mount Sterling (1342 Indian Mound Drive)
- Louisiana: Metairie (755 Veterans Memorial Boulevard)
- Mississippi: Tupelo (2605 W Main Street) and Pearl (5778 Highway 80 E)
- North Carolina: Asheboro (1432 E Dixie Drive)
- Tennessee: Clarksville (1041 S Riverside Drive), Gallatin (744 Nashville Pike), and Dickson (220 Dickson Plaza Drive)
- Virginia: Roanoke (2911 Hershberger Road NW)
"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," Lisa Seigies, president and CEO of Variety Wholesalers, said in a Friday press release. She noted that while stores are opening quickly to serve their respective communities, "we know the stores won't be perfect to start."
"But each week we’ll add more new products as we build towards the grand opening celebration in the fall," she continued. "Every time a customer visits Big Lots! we want them to find something new and exciting!"
The stores opening this week are the first of four planned reopening waves. The second wave, involving 55 stores, is slated to open on May 1. Remaining stores, according to Variety Wholesalers, are expected to open "through early June" with a grand opening celebration scheduled for fall.
While the specific locations were not shared on Friday, Variety Wholesalers said the reopening Big Lots stores are in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, West Virginia, and "other states."
Previous court filings suggest those additional states could include Indiana and Kentucky.
Other retailers have taken over former Big Lots storefronts.
In March, discount retailer Ocean State Job Lot announced it was preparing to acquire 15 former Big Lots stores in Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. Ollie's Bargain Market has also acquired more than three dozen Big Lots store leases.
It's unclear when these new stores may open.
