One of the Rock Hill region’s Big Lots stores will close. What could replace it?
As Big Lots plans to close its Chester store, attention turns to what might replace it.
Big Lots said in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing last month the company expects to close 35 to 40 stores this year. The filing didn’t list which stores would close but noted it had a 10.2% overall sales drop, or almost $115 million, this first quarter compared to the same time last year.
Chester County Economic Development posted on its Facebook page the Chester Crossing location at 1841 JA Cochran Bypass will close. The webpage for that store also states it’s closing. Neither said when.
The discount retail company based in Ohio did not respond to calls and an email from The Herald regarding which stores will close, and when.
Big Lots has 38 South Carolina stores including one each in Rock Hill, Lancaster and Chester. It’s 75 North Carolina stores include two in Charlotte and others in nearby communities like Albemarle, Belmont, Concord, Gastonia, Kannapolis and Monroe.
Unlike in Chester, neither the Rock Hill nor Lancaster store websites mention anything about store closings.
Online community comments on the Chester County Economic Development post suggested a similar retailer, grocery store or home improvement store could replace Big Lots. The site is part of a nearly 60,000-square-foot shopping center built in 1990.
The shopping center has been sold four times in the past five years, according to county land records.
San Diego-based real estate company Realty Income bought the shopping center last year for $3.9 million. It also has a Tractor Supply Co. and a Roses Express discount store.
Recruiting businesses to Chester County, SC
Chester County Economic Development announced this month it’s working with consultant Retail Strategies to recruit more retail businesses.
That focus is countywide, but the group is particularly aiming to develop the Gateway District along S.C. 9 and Interstate 77. Increased retail will help increase sales tax revenue to support capital projects in the county, said economic director Robert Young.
Economic development is working to try to fill the Big Lots space. For instance, its staff will attend a large retail industry event next month in Tennessee to market the county to potential employers.
