New ownership intends to reopen the Big Lots discount store in Arlington as it starts several waves of opening 219 locations it bought out of bankruptcy.
Variety Wholesalers Inc. of Henderson, North Carolina, bought the stores after Columbus, Ohio-based Big Lots Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization in September 2024.
An online list of the first nine store reopenings and another listing of the remaining openings show the Jacksonville store at 9119 Merrill Road in the next waves that start in May and June.
A banner on the Jacksonville store in the Merrill Crossing shopping center says “The Comeback Starts Soon!”
Signs on the doors invite job applicants. “We want you to be a part of the Big Lots comeback!!” it says.
Store shelves appear empty. Another sign directs delivery personnel to have the manager on duty sign for the receipt. Hours are shown as 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Merrill Crossing is east of Interstate 295 and the Southside Connector.
None of the other closed area Big Lots stores are on the reopening lists.
Upon filing for bankruptcy protection, Big Lots had six stores in Northeast Florida comprising four in Jacksonville and one each in St. Augustine and Orange Park.
Its Jacksonville stores were at Merrill Road as well as 14333 Beach Blvd., 9625 Crosshill Blvd. and 9718 Old St. Augustine Road in Jacksonville; at 308 Florida 312 in St. Augustine, and at 700 Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park.
Big Lots eventually closed all of its stores, with the Beach Boulevard and Blanding Boulevard stores shutting down in an earlier wave.
On Jan. 9, Boston-based Gordon Brothers, an asset liquidation firm, said it completed its acquisition of Big Lots in a deal that included the sale of at least 200 locations to Variety Wholesalers.
Gordon Brothers lists the Crosshill Boulevard, Old St. Augustine Road and Florida 312 store leases for sale.
Variety Wholesalers announced in an April 4 news release that the first of four waves of openings starts April 10 for nine stores in six states: Sterling, Kentucky; Metairie, Louisiana; Tupelo and Pearl, Mississippi; Asheboro, North Carolina; Clarksville, Dickson and Gallatin, Tennessee; and Roanoke, Virginia.
Variety Wholesalers said it will reopen the remaining acquired locations in subsequent waves, with about 55 stores opening May 1.
The rest will open through early June and lead up to a grand opening celebration across all stores this fall.
Those stores are in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and West Virginia, among other states.
Big Lots previously sold furniture, decor, pantry items, kitchenware, pet supplies and more.
“Variety Wholesalers brings their proven model of value-driven retail to these locations following the company’s strategic acquisition of 219 Big Lots! stores out of bankruptcy,” the company said in the release.
“Customers will experience remodeled stores, a large selection of closeout deals and new merchandise categories, including apparel for the family and electronics.”
Lisa Seigies, president and CEO of Variety Wholesalers, said in the release that the brand will offer “more deals than ever, lots of famous brands and a new apparel department for the entire family.”
“We’re opening stores quickly so we can serve the community. 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,” Siegies said.
Variety Wholesalers says it is a leading discount retailer that offers high-quality, brand-name, and closeout merchandise “with unbeatable deals, including apparel, home decor, health and beauty items, toys, and more.”
Variety Wholesalers says it operates more than 400 stores across 18 states. Its retail brands include Big Lots, Roses Discount Stores, Roses Express and Maxway.
There are three Roses, one Roses Express and one Maxway in Jacksonville, according to Rosesdiscountstores.com.
Big Lots said Variety Wholesalers may employ Big Lots associates at the acquired stores and distribution centers.
“This sale agreement and transfer present the strongest opportunity to preserve jobs, maximize value for the estate and ensure continuity of the Big Lots brand,” Big Lots President and CEO Bruce Thorn said in a December news release when the deal with Gordon Brothers was announced.
“We are grateful to our associates nationwide for their grit and resilience throughout this process.”
The Wall Street Journal reported that Big Lots largely posted consecutive quarterly losses since 2022. It said the retailer operated more than 1,300 stores in the U.S. as of May 2024, according to a recent SEC filing, down from 1,425 in early 2023.
NewsBreak.com reported March 26 that the 12 Florida Big Lots stores that Variety Wholesalers will reopen are the Jacksonville store along with locations in Brandon, Callaway, Crystal River, Fort Myers, Marianna, Milton, North Fort Myers, Ormond Beach, Ruskin, Spring Hill and Saint Cloud.
The site said discount competitor Ollie’s Bargain Outlet has acquired 40 former Big Lots properties, which will be rebranded under the Ollie’s name. Three are in Florida in Brooksville, Land O’Lakes, and New Smyrna Beach.
Newsbreak.com reported April 6 that discount retailer Ocean State Job Lot announced in March it was preparing to acquire 15 former Big Lots stores in Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.