The future of Big Lots’ footprint in Western Pennsylvania remains unclear, but it’s not looking good for the Allegheny Township location.
Its lease was recently available for transfer, which is a sign it could close as part of the struggling bargain retailer’s acquisition by a Boston-based asset liquidation firm.
Locations in North Versailles, West Mifflin and Whitehall also made the list posted earlier this month by buyer Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, along with roughly 460 other stores in 47 states.
The stores are mostly located in shopping plazas and range in size from about 19,000 to 55,000 square feet, the firm noted on the sale website.
David Rosen, Big Lots’ landlord in Allegheny Township, did not immediately return a request for comment. The company is the last tenant in Rosen’s shopping plaza off Route 56.
Will others be spared?
The other 20-or-so Big Lots stores in Western Pennsylvania may have better prospects.
Stores in Harrison, Hempfield, Monroeville, Penn Hills, Ross Township, Unity and other areas could stay open as part of 200 to 400 unnamed locations transferred to North Carolina-based Variety Wholesalers through the deal with Gordon Brothers.
Up to two distribution centers, including the one in Tremont, Pa., could be saved, too.
Variety Wholesalers, which operates more than 400 stores in the U.S. — mostly under the Roses and Roses Express names — has said it plans to run its latest acquisitions as Big Lots and may retain employees in the process.
In a statement announcing the sale, Big Lots President and CEO Bruce Thorn said the deal presents the “strongest opportunity to preserve jobs, maximize value for the real estate and ensure continuity of the Big Lots brand.”
The company has been seeking a buyer for many months and filed for bankruptcy protection in September.
Gordon Brothers emerged as a buyer after Nexus Capital Management backed out of a sale agreement.
Messages left with Gordon Brothers and Variety Wholesalers seeking location-specific information were not immediately returned.
The Big Lots website seems to indicate nothing is final.
A banner reads: “All stores closing: now save up to 40% entire store.”
