Big Lots! is returning to Greater Akron.
After closing its Northeast Ohio stores earlier this year when the retailer shut down all of its stores nationwide, five of the shuttered stores in the Akron area are about to reopen thanks to a new owner.
Two of the stores set to reopen are in Akron, while others are in Barberton, Cuyahoga Falls and Canton.
Variety Wholesalers based in North Carolina purchased the Big Lots! name and some of its retail leases when the retailer went bankrupt and ceased operations.
When will the closed Big Lots! stores in Greater Akron reopen?
The Big Lots! stores in Akron and others in the area will open soon.
Spokesperson Rachel Roux said the five stores in Greater Akron are set to reopen on June 5.
“(Variety Wholesalers) leadership had the opportunity to select the Big Lots stores that are most likely to position the brand for success, which includes several stores in the Akron area,” she said.
Variety Wholesalers has been reopening Big Lots! stores in waves.
Six stores have already reopened in Ohio, including a location in Alliance.
The retailer plans to reopen some 219 Big Lots! stores nationwide.
Before the original chain closed its doors, there were about 900 stores nationwide.
What will the new Greater Akron Big Lots! stores be like?
The new incarnation of Big Lots! will be similar but not exactly the same.
The familiar Big Lots! store logo is back, along with its focus on liquidated merchandise at reduced prices.
Roux said shoppers will notice some differences.
For one, she said, there will be less focus on furniture in the reopened stores.
“Furniture will be a smaller portion of our merchandise, and we will be expanding our apparel selection,” Roux said. “We will continue to source closeouts, providing a unique experience each time a customer visits. At the time of the soft opening, we are likely to still be a work in progress, but we hope our customers will continue to stop in and revisit us when we hold our grand opening (currently planned for October).”
Where are the Greater Akron Big Lots! stores located?
There are five Big Lots! stores set to reopen in June in Greater Akron.
The stores are located at:
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 5 Big Lots! stores are reopening in Greater Akron. Find out where and when
Reporting by Craig Webb, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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