It’s been a wild ride for anybody following the retail apocalypse lately. If you live in Tazewell County, you’ve probably seen the headlines about Big Lots filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and felt that sinking feeling that another local staple was about to bite the dust. Honestly, for a minute there, it looked like the Big Lots in Richlands Virginia was a goner.
But then something weird happened.
While stores in Richmond, Virginia Beach, and even Charlottesville were slapping "Going Out of Business" signs on their windows, the Richlands location quietly stayed the course. It turns out that while the corporate office was burning down, the Richlands store was actually one of the lucky ones saved by a last-minute deal.
If you're wondering what the heck is going on with your local discount spot, or if you should even bother driving over to pick up a new couch, here is the real story on why this specific location is still kicking and what it actually looks like inside right now.
The Bankruptcy Rollercoaster and Why Richlands Survived
Let's talk business for a second because it’s kind of a miracle. In late 2024, Big Lots was basically ready to turn off the lights everywhere. They had over 1,300 stores and were losing money faster than a leaky bucket. They blamed inflation and the fact that we all stopped buying "big ticket" items like patio furniture when eggs started costing six bucks a dozen.
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At first, they tried to sell the whole company to a group called Nexus Capital. That fell through. Then, right before the 2025 New Year, a company called Gordon Brothers stepped in and cut a deal with Variety Wholesalers (the folks who own Roses and Bargain Town).
This is the important part for us: They decided to save about 200 to 400 stores.
A list filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in early 2025 confirmed that the Big Lots in Richlands Virginia was on the "keep" list. Out of dozens of stores across the Commonwealth, Richlands was one of the few selected to transition to the new ownership. Basically, while other towns are left with empty storefronts, Richlands keeps its jobs and its weirdly specific selection of seasonal lawn gnomes.
What Shopping at Big Lots in Richlands Virginia Is Like Today
If you haven't been in lately, you might notice some changes. It’s not the same store it was five years ago. Since the takeover, the vibe has shifted a bit. Some shoppers have noted that while the sign still says Big Lots, the inventory is starting to lean more toward what you'd find at a Roses—more "extreme value" and maybe a little less focused on the high-end furniture sets that got the old company into trouble.
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What you can still find:
- The Furniture Nook: They still have the Broyhill and Real Living brands, but the "never-ending" backroom stock is a bit tighter. If you see a sofa you like, you’ve gotta grab it.
- Seasonal Chaos: This is where they still win. Whether it’s 12-foot skeletons in October or those giant inflatable reindeer, the Richlands location usually stocks up better than the big-box stores in Claypool Hill.
- The Snack Aisle: Honestly, the best place in town for weirdly specific international cookies and name-brand cereal that’s somehow three dollars cheaper than at the grocery store.
The staff at this location have always been some of the friendliest in the region. Even during the height of the bankruptcy rumors, the crew in Richlands stayed pretty professional. You don't get that "I'm about to lose my job" coldness you see in some failing retail spots.
Addressing the Rumors: Is It Really Staying Open?
There’s been a lot of gossip at the gas stations and on local Facebook groups. Some people say, "I went in and they wouldn't let me use my rewards points!"
That’s actually a real thing that happened during the transition. Because the ownership changed hands during the bankruptcy process, the old Big Lots "Big Rewards" program hit some major snags. Some stores were rebranded or had their systems updated, and for a while, people were being told the points didn't count.
As of early 2026, the store is operating under the new management. If you’re heading to the location at Richlands Mall (or what most of us just call the Big Lots plaza), don't be shocked if the checkout process feels a little different. They are still ironing out the kinks of being owned by a different parent company.
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But the lights are on. The inventory is flowing. The store didn't become a Spirit Halloween. That’s a win for Tazewell County.
How to Get the Best Deals at the Richlands Location
If you want to shop like a pro here, you have to understand how they stock. Unlike Walmart, which has a very predictable supply chain, Big Lots in Richlands relies on "closeouts."
- Check the Endcaps: The stuff in the middle of the aisle is usually the "everyday low price" stuff. The endcaps (the ends of the aisles) are where the real bankruptcy buyouts and overstock items live.
- Tuesday/Wednesday Visits: This is typically when the trucks get unloaded. If you wait until Saturday, the good furniture and the unique home decor items are usually picked over by the "pro" flippers who resell stuff online.
- Furniture Inspections: Since a lot of this stuff has been through a corporate warehouse shuffle, always, always check the boxes for "open box" stickers. You can sometimes haggle an extra 10% off if the box is beat up, even if the item inside is perfect.
The Impact on the Richlands Community
Richlands is a tough town. We’ve seen the coal industry change and local businesses come and go. Having a major anchor store like Big Lots survive a national bankruptcy is actually a pretty big deal for the local economy. It keeps people from driving all the way to Bluefield or Bristol just to get decent curtains or a cheap area rug.
It also keeps that shopping center from becoming a ghost town. When a big anchor like this stays, the smaller shops nearby—the nail salons, the little pizza joints—actually have a chance to survive because of the foot traffic.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Visit
Don't just walk in and wander. If you want to make the most of the store's survival, here is what you should actually do:
- Verify Your Rewards: Ask the cashier immediately if the "Big Rewards" system is fully active for your account. If it’s not, ask if they have a "Variety Wholesalers" or "Roses" cross-over discount.
- Inspect Furniture on the Spot: If you buy a larger item, don't leave the parking lot without checking the parts list. With the recent warehouse transitions, missing hardware has been a common complaint in regional reviews.
- Follow the "Look Up" Rule: Big Lots stores are notorious for storing high-value overstock on the very top shelves above the displays. If you don't see the color you want, look up—the staff are usually happy to get the ladder out if they aren't slammed.
- Check the Expiration Dates: This is just a general discount store tip, but especially with the recent ownership changes, some of the "long-tail" pantry items might have been sitting in a distribution center for a bit. A quick glance at the back of the bag takes two seconds and saves you a headache later.
The Richlands Big Lots isn't just a store anymore; it's a survivor of a retail war. It’s worth a stop, even if it’s just to see what the "new" version of the brand looks like.