Discount retail chain Big Lots is moving into the final phase of its store reopening effort, with 78 additional locations set to welcome customers on June 5. 

The new reopenings span nine states: Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

This latest round brings the total number of reopened Big Lots locations to 219, marking a major milestone in the brand’s revival under new ownership by Variety Wholesalers. 

“The connection with the communities we serve, and the positive customer feedback has been more than we could have imagined,” said Lisa Seigies, president and CEO of Variety Wholesalers. 

“This enthusiastic response reinforces our belief that taking Big Lots! back to the roots of what made it a huge success resonates with our customers. Providing great value will always be our core mission.”

The reopening phase first began in April with plans to reopen 132 stores across 14 states. According to the company, the strategy “has been met with overwhelmingly positive customer response”. 

Big Lots sold between 200 and 400 of its stores, along with two distribution centers, to Variety Wholesalers in January, as part of an agreement with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners. The move followed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in Delaware last September, triggered by declining discretionary spending amid broader economic challenges.