Some Big Lots Stores Will Survive: What MI Shoppers Should Know

MICHIGAN— Little more than a week after beginning a going out of business sale, including its 30 remaining Michigan locations, Big Lots has reached a deal to keep hundreds of its stores open.

The discount retailer, which declared bankruptcy in September, announced Friday it has agreed to a sale with asset liquidation firm Gordon Brothers Retail Partners that transfers 200 to 400 Big Lots stores to Variety Wholesalers Inc. Variety Wholesales owns more than 400 retail stores in Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states under the Roses, Roses Express, Maxway, Bill's Dollar Stores, Super 10, Super Dollar and Bargain Town names.

Variety Wholesalers intends to continue to operate the acquired stores under the Big Lots banner. Variety Wholesales also is obtaining up to two distribution centers and intends to continue employing Big Lots workers and some corporate officials.

"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 Bruce Thorn said in a statement. "We are grateful to our associates nationwide for their grit and resilience throughout this process."

Lisa Seigies, Variety Wholesalers' President and CEO, said, "We are excited to partner with Gordon Brothers to provide a path forward for the Big Lots brand and hundreds of its stores. We look forward to working with members of the Big Lots team to realize the exciting opportunities ahead."

The agreement is subject to U.S. Bankruptcy Court approval.

Big Lots had been closing certain stores as it went through bankruptcy proceedings and previously announced plans to shutter more than 340 stores. As of March, the company had more than 1,300 stores across the country.

The specific store locations Variety Wholesalers is acquiring has yet to be revealed. The Big Lots website currently lists 30 Michigan locations:

• Adrian
• Alpena
• Battle Creek
• Bay City
• Benton Harbor
• Burton
• Chesterfield
• Clinton Township
• Dearborn
• Eastpointe
• Farmington Hills
• Flint
• Gaylord
• Grand Rapids (2 locations)
• Jackson
• Lapeer
• Monroe
• Muskegon
• Niles
• Pontiac
• Port Huron
• Sault Sainte Marie
• Shelby Township
• Southfield
• Southgate
• Sterling Heights
• Traverse City
• Waterford
• Westland

Two Michigan stores that were on the Big Lots website earlier this month — Livonia and Saginaw — are no longer listed as being open.

Big Lots announced it was closing 15 other Michigan stores earlier this year, including locations in Benton Harbor, Livonia, Saginaw and Taylor.

With reporting from Eric Heyl, Patch staff