Carson Big Lots store set to close Dec. 22

Following the September announcement of Big Lots Inc.’s voluntary Chapter 11 reorganization, the Carson City Big Lots has been set to permanently close by Dec. 22, according to a store spokesperson.

Monday, signs inside and outside the 4215 S. Carson St., store advertised the impending closure and discounts on items. The store will be open through much of the holiday season, but the spokesperson did not know what would happen to the store’s estimated 15-25 employees come Christmas, and messages sent to the parent corporation were not immediately returned.

The store opened in the Southgate Shopping Center in 2010 offering “closeout deals” on nonperishable food, toys, seasonal décor, electronics and furniture, according to the Appeal’s archives.

The Carson Big Lots was a long-time neighbor to Burlington Coat Factory, which closed in April. A tenant improvement permit for a new Hobby Lobby at the Burlington location was issued on Aug. 14, according to Carson City Community Development records.

99 Cents Only off East William Street closed in June, not long after Burlington departed. That store was soon replaced by a Dollar Tree, but the two closures suggested a greater struggle in the discount retail market.

“Since the pandemic, Big Lots has taken steps to accelerate its strategic initiatives focused on improving sales and boosting its long-term performance and profitability,” Big Lots Inc. said in a Sept. 9 news release. “Like many other retail businesses, the company has been adversely affected by recent macroeconomic factors such as high inflation and interest rates that are beyond its control. The prevailing economic trends have been particularly challenging to Big Lots, as its core customers curbed their discretionary spending on the home and seasonal product categories that represent a significant portion of the company's revenue.”

On Sept. 11, Big Lots announced court approval of initial steps to facilitate the sale of assets and business operations to Nexus Capital Management LP.

“Additionally, the interim relief granted by the court will enable the company to continue paying employee wages and benefits, and making payments to certain critical vendors, in the ordinary course of business. The company expects to pay vendors in full under normal terms for any goods delivered and services provided after the filing,” the Sept. 11 release said.

In a factsheet on the restructuring process, Big Lots corporate said: “Though we are taking every step possible to improve the profitability of all stores so that we can continue serving customers, we will need to close additional locations to ensure that our business operates efficiently.”

On Oct. 1, USA Today reported Big Lots would be closing more than 340 stores nationwide.

More about the Big Lots restructuring can be found online: https://www.bigstepforbiglots.com/.