Popular Louisiana Retailer Reaches Deal to Keep Some Stores Open

We have some good news for those in Houma, LaPlace, and West Monroe, Louisiana who thought their retail shopping choices were about to be curtailed tremendously in 2025. Or at least we think we have some good news. It might be good news for Louisiana shoppers in Chalmette, Gonzales, or Lake Charles.

Earlier this month, we brought you news of the pending closure of a major retail operation with eleven locations in Louisiana. At the time, it appeared as though it was the end of the line for the retail outlet, which was seeking to salvage its operation by selling its assets and ongoing business operations to Nexus Capital Management.

When the proposed merger with Nexus fell through it looked like the end of an iconic retailer in the state. But as you know, things are never over until they are all the way over. We have some good news for fans of the retail brand Big Lots. While it looked as if Big Lots was about to go the way of the dinosaur a last-minute reprieve has surfaced and now it looks as if Big Lots will not be fading into the sunset as we first thought.

In an announcement that was made on Friday, Big Lots announced it would be sold to Gordon Brothers Retail Partners. That firm specializes in working with distressed companies. Gordon Brothers will then transfer Big Lots' stores, distribution centers, and other assets to other retailers.

Variety Wholesalers Inc. owns more than 400 discount stores across the southeastern United States and the mid-Atlantic region of the country as well. They plan to acquire some 200 to 400 Big Lots stores and operate them under the Big Lots brand. The word on the street is that Variety Wholesalers will also acquire as many as two distribution centers.

In a statement released on Friday Big Lots management expressed gratitude for their associates nationwide and praised their resilience for weathering the storm. It is unclear which Big Lots locations would remain open as part of the new deal, which still remains to be seen. But we can now say with some degree of certainty that at least the Big Lots brand won't be going away totally.