Big Lots back in Murphy

    Murphy – True to reports, Murphy’s Big Lots store reopened Thursday under new ownership.
    Variety Wholesalers Inc. acquired some assets from bankrupt Big Lots and took over 200-400 Big Lots stores, including the store in Murphy. The new owners reopened stores in stages, with Murphy’s store being in the final stage of reopening.
    Henderson-based Variety Wholesalers owns more than 400 stores in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, including Roses Discount, Roses Express, Maxway, Bill’s Dollar Stores and Bargain Town.
    Big Lots was the fourth-largest home goods retailer by the time it filed for bankruptcy in September 2024, ending the year with 872 stores after starting the year with 1,392 locations.
    The Murphy store reopened Thursday without fanfare, and with many of its shelves still bare, but with the promise of a fully stocked store moving forward.
    Offerings are what regular Big Lots shoppers would expect, but in smaller quantities and limited selection while the company’s supply line catches up with the reopenings. The Murphy store still plans to offer home, patio and yard items, a small but growing grocery section, car maintenance supplies, clothing for women, men and children, kitchen supplies and a small selection of home furnishings.
    The newly reopened store has also hired back some of its former employees as well.