If you’ve driven down Farmington Avenue lately, you probably noticed the vibe shifted at Bristol Farms Plaza. For years, the Big Lots Bristol Connecticut location was that reliable, slightly chaotic treasure chest where you could grab a patio set, a gallon of laundry detergent, and a bag of off-brand pretzels in one trip.
Now? It’s a different story.
The retail landscape in Bristol has been a rollercoaster. One minute a store is "permanently closing," the next there’s a rumor it’s staying, and then—bam—the signs go back up. Honestly, keeping track of the Big Lots on 1235 Farmington Ave has felt like a full-time job for local bargain hunters.
The Bankruptcy Saga and the Bristol Location
Big Lots, the Columbus-based discount giant, hit a massive wall recently. They filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September 2024. This wasn't just corporate paperwork; it was a desperate scramble to save what was left of a brand that was drowning in debt and losing customers to competitors like Walmart and Ocean State Job Lot.
For the Bristol store, the news was a series of whiplash-inducing updates:
- In October 2024, it was officially put on the "hit list" for closures.
- By mid-November 2024, local reports like The Connecticut Scoop claimed the store was saved and removed from the closing list.
- Then came the holiday reality check. By late December 2024 and into early 2025, the liquidation sales were back on.
Essentially, while a few hundred stores nationwide were salvaged through a sale to Variety Wholesalers, the Connecticut footprint basically evaporated. The lease for the 45,356-square-foot space in Bristol was put up for sale by Gordon Brothers, the firm handling the company's restructuring.
Why Big Lots Bristol Connecticut Finally Folded
It wasn’t just one thing. It was a "perfect storm" of retail misery. You've got rising inflation making people spend less on "big ticket" items like sofas and dining sets—which were a huge part of the Big Lots business model.
Also, the competition in Bristol is fierce.
- Ocean State Job Lot (over at 685 Farmington Ave) often beats them on the "weird and cheap" food and household essentials.
- Hobby Lobby, right next door in the same plaza, pulls the home decor crowd.
- Walmart is, well, Walmart.
When you’re squeezed between those giants and your corporate office is $200 million in the hole, survival is a tall order. The Bristol store was 45,000 square feet. That is a lot of space to keep heated, lit, and stocked when the margins are razor-thin.
What's Left at 1235 Farmington Ave?
If you go there today, don't expect the "Big Lots" experience. The liquidation process was pretty thorough. During the final weeks, prices were slashed by 50% to 90%. They even sold off the shelving units, the cash registers, and the yellow-and-black signage.
It’s a "weird shell of a store" now, as some locals on Reddit have described it.
The Bristol Farms Plaza itself is still a busy hub, thanks to Edge Fitness and Hobby Lobby. But the loss of Big Lots leaves a massive "anchor" sized hole. There was a lot of local chatter about a Big Y or maybe a Stew Leonard’s moving into the old Christmas Tree Shops space nearby, but that’s a different drama entirely (Big Y is currently slated for a 2027 opening in that specific CTS spot).
Real Talk: Was it Actually a Good Store?
Reviews were always a mixed bag. Some people loved "Alex," a long-time employee known for actually being helpful in a sea of understaffed aisles. Others complained that the furniture quality had dipped while prices stayed high.
"I used to find cool stuff that had substance. Towards the end, it felt like cheaper made items and ugly clothes that weren't even that cheap," said one local shopper.
That sentiment seemed to be the consensus. The "closeout" magic that made Big Lots famous—buying up excess inventory from high-end brands and selling it cheap—had largely been replaced by their own "Brocott" or "Real Living" brands, which didn't always hit the mark for quality.
Where to Shop Now
If you were a regular at the Bristol Big Lots, you're probably looking for a new "hunt."
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- Ocean State Job Lot (Bristol): Best for snacks, cleaning supplies, and random garden stuff.
- Aldi (Middle St): For the cheap groceries that Big Lots used to carry.
- Hobby Lobby: Literally right there for the home decor fix.
The era of the massive "everything" discount store is shifting. People want either extreme specialty (like Hobby Lobby) or extreme convenience (like Walmart). Big Lots sat in the middle, and unfortunately, the middle is a dangerous place to be in the 2026 retail market.
Actionable Next Steps for Bristol Shoppers
Since the Bristol location is no longer an option, here is what you need to do if you have Big Lots lingering business:
- Rewards Points: If you still have Big Lots "BIG Rewards" points, check the website immediately. In most bankruptcy cases, these loyalty programs are eventually discontinued or heavily restricted.
- Gift Cards: Use them online if you can, or at the very few remaining locations in other states (though Connecticut is essentially a desert for the brand now).
- Furniture Warranties: If you bought a couch or mattress with an extended warranty, look for the third-party provider's paperwork. Big Lots itself won't be able to help you with repairs or returns now that the local physical presence is gone.
The departure of Big Lots Bristol Connecticut marks the end of an era for the Farmington Ave corridor, but with the redevelopment of nearby plazas and the upcoming Big Y, the area's retail life isn't dead—it's just evolving.