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Big Lots set to close Burnham store

BURNHAM — A Mifflin County retailer could be closing its doors, barring a last-minute Christmas miracle.

Discount chain Big Lots, which opened a store in the Mifflin County Commons in Burnham in October 2022, announced plans to close all remaining stores and go out of business by early January 2025, ending 57 years of discounts.

Brian Gumberg of LG Realty Advisors Inc. in Pittsburgh, whose firm has owned and managed the Mifflin County Commons since it opened in 1991, said they believe the Burnham store will be closing along with all others as part of the national liquidation.

Big Lots officials could not be reached for comment.

The Columbus, Ohio-based retailer announced Thursday that it will shut down after failing to reach a deal to be acquired out of bankruptcy by private equity firm Nexus Capital Management LP. Big Lots President and Chief Executive Officer Bruce Thorn said in a news release that the company will continue to pursue a buyer.

“We all have worked extremely hard and have taken every step to complete a going concern sale,” Thorn said in the release. “While we remain hopeful that we can close an alternative going concern transaction, in order to protect the value of the Big Lots estate, we have made the difficult decision to begin the GOB (going-out-of-business) process.”

Big Lots, which sells furniture, home décor and other items, filed for Chapter11 bankruptcy protection in early September. The company said its continuing efforts to find alternative options. A deal with the Santa Monica-based investment firm is still possible, but the company also is open to other parties.

Big Lots has said that high inflation and interest rates have hurt its business as consumers have pulled back on their home and seasonal product purchases, two categories the chain depends on for a significant part of its revenue. The company has also struggled with increased competition from the likes of Walmart and warehouse clubs like Walmart’s Sam’s Clubs and Costco, which have all sharpened their pricing and merchandise.

As of Oct. 1, 2024, Big Lots operated nearly 1,400 stores in 48 states, although the discount retailer has been shuttering them lately.

Big Lots said it is continuing to serve customers in-store and online, and will provide updates to the closing process as they become available.

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