Big Lots on Broad Street has been a Sumter staple for as long as most of us can remember. It’s that place you go for a random bag of chips and walk out with a $400 gazebo. But lately, things have felt... off. If you’ve driven past Wesmark Plaza recently, you’ve probably seen the massive "Closing" signs plastered across the windows.
It's jarring.
Honestly, the rumors flying around town are enough to give anyone a headache. Some people say it’s gone for good by next month. Others swear it’s staying open under new management. The truth, as it usually is with corporate bankruptcies, is somewhere in the messy middle.
The Current State of the Sumter Store
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: the bankruptcy.
Big Lots filed for Chapter 11 back in September 2024. For a while, it looked like the whole company might just vanish. They were closing hundreds of stores across the country, and for a hot minute, every remaining location was told to prepare for going-out-of-business sales.
But then, right at the tail end of December, a deal went through.
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A firm called Gordon Brothers Retail Partners stepped in. They aren't exactly "retailers" in the traditional sense; they specialize in distressed companies. They basically bought the carcass of the company and started looking for someone to actually run it.
That someone turned out to be Variety Wholesalers.
You might not know the name, but you definitely know their work. They own Roses and Maxway. They’ve agreed to take over somewhere between 200 and 400 Big Lots locations and keep the brand alive.
So, is Sumter on the "Safe" List?
Here is where things get tricky.
If you walk into the Sumter store today, you’ll still see those "Closing" signs. Employees are, understandably, a little stressed. Back in early January, local management hadn't even been told officially if they were staying or going. They were just keeping their fingers crossed while selling off inventory at 20% to 50% off.
It’s a weird limbo.
The latest lists for lease sales in South Carolina included spots in Anderson, Camden, and Spartanburg. Sumter wasn't on that specific "for sale" list immediately, which gave people a glimmer of hope. But until the signs come down and the new shipments of furniture start rolling in, it’s a "wait and see" game.
Why We Care About Big Lots Anyway
Big Lots occupies a specific niche in Sumter. We have Walmart, sure. We have the fancy furniture stores and the tiny boutiques. But Big Lots is where you go when you need a Broyhill sofa that doesn't cost three months' rent.
It’s the thrill of the hunt.
You go in for laundry detergent and stumble upon a weirdly high-quality area rug. Or you find those specific snacks that no one else carries. It’s also one of the few places in town where you can get "real" furniture without a high-pressure salesperson breathing down your neck.
The Real Problem: The "Quality" Debate
If we’re being real, Big Lots has a bit of a reputation problem.
Go online and read the reviews. You'll see people complaining that their reclining couch started peeling after six months. Or that the customer service was non-existent.
Is it true? Kinda.
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When you buy a $300 sectional, you aren't getting heirloom quality. It’s "now" furniture, not "forever" furniture. But for a lot of families in Sumter, especially with prices going up everywhere else, that's exactly what’s needed.
The Broad Street Retail Landscape
Sumter’s retail scene is shifting.
Hobby Lobby is right there. Harbor Freight is down the road. Lowe’s is across the way. The Broad Street corridor is the heartbeat of shopping in our area. Losing a massive anchor like Big Lots would leave a huge, ugly hole in Wesmark Plaza.
Nobody wants another empty storefront.
We’ve seen what happens when these big retail spaces sit empty for years. They become eyesores. If Variety Wholesalers does keep the Sumter location, expect changes. They might lean harder into the "closeout" aspect—more random deals, less permanent stock.
What You Should Do Right Now
If you’re a regular shopper, don’t wait.
- Check the discounts: If the "Closing" signs are still up, the deals are likely at their peak. We’re talking furniture, seasonal decor, and even the pantry staples.
- Use those rewards: If you have Big Rewards points or gift cards, burn them. Even if this store stays open, the transition to new ownership can make those points "disappear" during system migrations.
- Be nice to the staff: Seriously. These people have spent months not knowing if they’ll have a paycheck in two weeks. A little kindness goes a long way.
- Follow local news: The Sumter Item has been keeping a close eye on the biz talk around this. They’ll likely be the first to know if the lease is officially renewed.
Big Lots in Sumter South Carolina is currently a bit of a ghost ship, but it hasn't sunk yet. Whether it emerges as a rebranded discount powerhouse or fades into a memory depends on how these corporate handshakes in New York and Ohio play out.
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For now, go get your cheap snacks and keep an eye on the front window. If those "Closing" signs suddenly disappear, we’ll know we won.
Actionable Next Steps:
Head to the Wesmark Plaza location this week to check the current liquidation percentage. If you are looking for furniture, ask the floor manager specifically if they are taking new orders or only selling floor models; this is the quickest way to tell if the store is truly shutting its doors or preparing for a refresh. Ensure any high-value purchases like mattresses or couches are inspected on-site, as return policies during "closing" sales are typically non-existent.