Shockwave Hits Pennsylvania

In a groundbreaking announcement that has sent shockwaves through Pennsylvania, discount retailer Big Lots is closing all of its stores nationwide, with 64 locations impacted in the Keystone State alone. As shoppers flocked to the Dauphin Plaza Big Lots the day after Christmas, they weren’t there for holiday returns. Instead, they were hunting for bargains amid the retailer's going-out-of-business sales that have begun.

A striking yellow “Closing” banner hangs across the storefront, and eye-catching signs proclaim “Store Closing” alongside “Nothing held back!” Inside, customers discover markdowns ranging from five to an eye-popping 50% off. From 50% off Christmas decor to 10% off furniture and 20% off toys, the discounts are drawing in customers desperate to seize one last chance at savings.

Impact of the Closure

The demise of Big Lots comes on the heels of the company's announcement that it will not proceed with a previously planned asset sale with Nexus Capital Management. With this new development, the company has initiated closing sales across all 909 remaining stores, coinciding with the retailer's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in September. The closures will include not only these retail locations but also a distribution center in Schuylkill County, impacting a staggering 505 employees who will be laid off.

The closures of Big Lots will add to the growing list of empty retail spaces across Pennsylvania, a state that once embraced this discount chain. Following the news, a joint venture led by Gordon Brothers, alongside Hilco Consumer Retail and Tiger Capital Group, has commenced the liquidation process.

Statewide Impact

The closures affect centers statewide, with many communities now facing uncertainty as they lose a key retailer. Big Lots has had a significant presence with 64 stores in Pennsylvania, ranking fifth highest in the country after states like Ohio and Texas.

List of Closing Locations

Here is the complete list of closing Big Lots locations across Pennsylvania: - 2349 Lehigh St., Allentown - 415 Orchard Ave, Suite 7, Altoona - 142 Finley Road, Belle Vernon - 2192 W. Union Blvd., Bethlehem - 2431 Columbia Blvd., Bloomsburg - 801 E. Philadelphia Ave., Ste 4, Boyertown - 1001 E. Main St., Bradford - 1155 Washington Pike, Bridgeville - 331 Freedom Ave., Burnham, Mifflin County - 190 Alameda Plaza, Butler - 3437 Simpson Ferry Road, Hampden Township - 184 Southgate Mall, Chambersburg, Franklin County - 130 Plaza Drive, Clearfield - 467 W. Penn Ave., Cleona, Lebanon County - 5522 Shaffer Road, Unit 7, Du Bois - 1010 Oneill Highway, Dunmore - 156 Eagles Glen Plaza, Suite 190, East Stroudsburg - 881 Hills Plaza, Suite 500, Ebensburg - 389 N. Reading Road, Ephrata, Lancaster County - 2215 W. 12th St., Erie - 866 Scranton Carbondale Highway, Eynon - 500 Lincoln Highway, Suite 4, Fairless Hills - 940 Mall Road, Frackville - 697 Allegheny Blvd., Franklin - 6041 State Route 30, Suite 20, Greensburg - 1150 Carlisle St., Penn Township, York County - 3850 Union Deposit Road, Susquehanna Township - 2235 E. State St., Hermitage - 1170 Mae St., Derry Township - 2444 Philadelphia St., Indiana - 1425 Scalp Ave., Suite 130, Johnstown - 30 Franklin Village Mall, Kittanning - 1262 Millersville Pike, Lancaster Township - 648 E Main St., Lansdale - 300 Unity Plaza, Latrobe - 500 Hyde Park Road, Leechburg - 1241 Blakeslee Boulevard Drive, E, Lehighton - 7405 Westbranch Highway, Lewisburg - 560 Union St., Luzerne - 820 Water St., Meadville - 100 Crossroads Plaza, Mount Pleasant - 809 Lycoming Mall Road, Muncy - 1726 Pacific Ave., Natrona Heights - 2611 Ellwood Road, New Castle - 2644 Dekalb Pike, Norristown - 1701 Lincoln Highway, Suite 10, North Versailles - 15501 Bustleton Ave., Philadelphia - 270 Schuylkill Road, Phoenixville - 11628 Penn Hills Drive, Pittsburgh - 4717 Mcknight Road, Pittsburgh - 3215 N. 5th Street Highway, Reading - 750 Ohio River Blvd., Rochester - 300 S Fayette St., Suite D, Southampton Township - 709 Route 113, Souderton - 503 Benner Pike, State College - 7150 Hamilton Blvd., Trexlertown - 99 Matthew Drive, Suite 107, Uniontown - 254 Oak Spring Road, Washington, Pa. - 110 Greene Plaza, Waynesburg - 290 Susquehanna Blvd., West Hazleton - 7005 Clairton Road, West Mifflin - 2631 Macarthur Road, Whitehall - 310 E. End Center, Wilkes Barre - 2140 White St., West Manchester Township

Conclusion

The landscape of Pennsylvania retail is changing, and shoppers are left to wonder what comes next as familiar names fade from the shopping scene. With Big Lots' significant footprint, local economies will feel the impact of this retail giant's exit—will it mark the end of bargain hunting in Pennsylvania, or will new opportunities arise? Keep your eyes peeled for further developments in this unfolding story!