Big Lots is staging one of the boldest comebacks in retail right now, and the next big wave is hitting hard.
After months of closure and uncertainty, over 70 Big Lots stores are reopening across the U.S. in just a matter of days. The company, which recently found new life through a major acquisition, is pushing ahead with a full-blown relaunch – and shoppers are here for it. The Big Lots store reopening blitz officially resumes on Thursday, May 15, and it’s about to hit 13 different states at once.
This isn’t just a few random stores reopening. Back in April, Big Lots confirmed that it was bringing back all 219 of its stores across the country. The first wave saw nine locations swing their doors open across six states – Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Staff celebrations and social media posts flooded in, with one viral post showing employees grinning beneath a banner that read “THE COMEBACK STARTS NOW!” The caption screamed “WE’RE BACK!!!!” and teased that 210 more store reopenings were on the way.
Now that next wave is officially here. According to USA Today, more than 70 stores are about to reopen in one of the biggest relaunches we’ve seen in recent retail memory. The excitement is real – customers have been flooding comment sections begging for updates on their local stores. One hopeful shopper said, “Ours is on the reopen list but who knows when?” Another added, “Hopefully they will reopen in St. Petersburg, FL at some point,” while someone else straight-up demanded, “Reopen your store in Vero Beach, FL, please.”
Well, it’s finally happening. Big Lots is rising again thanks to a major retail deal that saved it from total collapse. The company’s assets – all 219 stores plus two distribution centers – were snapped up by Variety Wholesalers in a deal orchestrated by Gordon Brothers Retail Partners. That move gave Big Lots the runway it needed to revive its name, stock its shelves, and bring employees back on board.
Lisa Seigies, CEO of Variety Wholesalers, called the relaunch a big win for both the brand and local communities. “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,” she said back in April. “We know the stores won’t be perfect to start, but each week we’ll add more new products as we build toward the grand opening celebration in the fall.”
So, where exactly is the next wave landing? The 13 states confirmed for the May 15 reopening include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. That’s a huge swath of the country suddenly getting their Big Lots fix back.
And this is just the beginning. Another reopening wave is set to hit in early June, although it’s still unclear which states will be included in that round. The ultimate goal is to have all 219 locations up and running by the fall – perfectly timed for a full-blown grand opening celebration.
For shoppers who’ve been missing their favorite deals, home goods, furniture steals, and seasonal finds, the countdown is nearly over. And for fans still waiting, there’s now real momentum behind the comeback. This isn’t just empty talk – Big Lots is clearly serious about making its mark again.
While many retail brands have folded completely or gone online-only, Big Lots is going the opposite direction: rebuilding its physical presence and betting that bargain-loving shoppers will come flooding back. And judging by the buzz on social media, they absolutely will.
So whether you’re in Kentucky or Kentucky’s cousin state of confusion (aka anywhere else waiting for your store to come back), things are looking up. Big Lots has officially entered its rebound era, and it’s doing it loud.
