(NEXSTAR) — As it continues to move through the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process, Big Lots has announced plans to close additional stores while seemingly pulling others out of the closure process.
After filing for bankruptcy earlier this year, the discount retailer said it planned to close roughly 550 stores. Following multiple waves of announced closures, Big Lots appeared to reach that benchmark in mid-October. By then, more than 240 of its stores had closed.
Earlier this month, however, the company halted some of its planned closures. An analysis by Nexstar found that banners on multiple stores’ web pages had switched from the bright orange notice reading, “Closing this location,” to what had been on them before the announced closures, inviting customers to “Share your big ideas!”
Since then, some of those banners have again switched back to the closing version, impacting locations in Redding, California; Carson City, Nevada; and Kennewick and Yakima, Washington.
In a statement shared with Nexstar last week, a spokesperson for Big Lots said:
We continue to evaluate store closings in light of lease renegotiations and other considerations, and remain committed to keeping our customers informed as we move forward. For up-to-date information regarding a particular Big Lots store, customers should refer to our store locator at www.biglots.com.
As of Nov. 19, banners on the web pages for additional stores in 17 states, primarily in the Midwest and East, have been swapped from “closing” to “share your big ideas!” Those stores are listed below:
- Alabama: Homewood
- Arizona: Glendale
- Arkansas: Conway and Hot Springs National Park
- Florida: Pembroke Pines
- Georgia: Augusta, Cartersville, Douglasville and Kennesaw
- Illinois: Franklin Park
- Indiana: New Albany
- Iowa: Burlington
- Louisiana: Chalmette
- Maryland: Edgewood and Waldorf
- Missouri: Blue Springs and Fenton
- New Hampshire: Belmont
- New Mexico: Albuquerque (Coors Boulevard and Montgomery Boulevard)
- New York: Hicksville, Kingston and Wappingers Falls
- Pennsylvania: Philadelphia (Somerton) and Whitehall
- Texas: Converse, Lewisville, Rockwall, Rowlett, Texarkana and North Tyler
- Virginia: Chesapeake (Portsmouth Boulevard) and Richmond
Meanwhile, on Monday, Big Lots filed new plans to close an additional 19 stores across nine states, primarily in the West:
- Arizona: Phoenix
- California: Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Murrieta, Redondo Beach and Tulare
- Florida: Fort Walton Beach and Orlando (Colonial Town)
- Georgia: Atlanta
- Idaho: Meridian
- Nevada: Las Vegas (Centennial) and Sparks
- Oregon: Hermiston, Medford and Roseburg
- Texas: Porter, San Antonio (Castle Hills) and Webster
- Washington: Moses Lake
As of Nov. 19, more than 270 Big Lots stores previously slated for closure have since closed and been removed from the company’s website. More than 200 Big Lots stores appear to still be navigating the closing procedure.
Despite the pending closures and sale, Big Lots is still gearing up for the holiday season like any other retailer. The company recently announced “Black Friday Fridays,” which run through Dec. 6, and last week, it launched a new app “designed to enhance the shopping experience for its valued customers.”
Big Lots stores are almost among those who will be open for Thanksgiving this year, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., the company confirmed earlier this month.
