KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

The Big Lots location in Tullahoma has made the list of over 200 stores that could be saved following the sales agreement with Gordon Brothers.

In a bankruptcy filing on Feb. 3 to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, LLC, provided a list of 200 locations with leases or contracts designated to be taken over by Variety Wholesalers. As part of the sale agreement, with Big Lots and Gordon Brothers, Variety Wholesalers, Inc. would acquire between 200 and 400 Big Lots stores, and up to two distribution centers, where the stores will continue to operate under the Big Lots brand. Variety Wholesalers owns more than 400 retail stores in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic United States under the Roses, Roses Express, Maxway, Bill’s Dollar Stores, Super 10, Super Dollar, and Bargain Town.

The stores listed in the court filing are in 15 states including Tennessee (14), North Carolina (46), Ohio (27), Pennsylvania (22), South Carolina (17), Virginia (17), Georgia (13), Florida (12), Kentucky (10), West Virginia (7), Alabama (6), Michigan (5), Mississippi (2), Indiana (1) and Louisiana (1). In a statement to Fast Company, a monthly business magazine, Gordon Brothers said the list of stores expected to be taken over by Variety Wholesalers was not the final list and more locations could be added.

According to the filing, any objections to Variety Wholesalers taking over the locations of any of the 200 stores must be filed with the court by 4 p.m. on Feb. 18. 

As for the fate of the other stores, Gordon Brothers have listed hundreds of Big Lots leases for sales to any retailers that may want to take over the spaces for other businesses. The stores are primarily located in shopping centers across 47 states and range in size from nearly 19,000 to 55,000 square feet.

As of writing, there are currently 872 Big Lots stores in the U.S. The Tullahoma Big Lots has been a staple in the city for years, first opening in its first location at Northgate Mall in November 1988, and moving to its second location up North Jackson Street in the old Kmart building, sharing residency with Hobby Lobby, in June 2021.