Big Lots given second chance in Kinston
After a period of uncertainty and closure, Big Lots is officially reopening its Kinston location at 2407 N. Herritage St., according to store manager Leo Lockhart. The discount retailer, which closed temporarily amid the company’s financial challenges, is back in business and actively hiring.
In a recent Facebook post, Lockhart announced a hiring event beginning Thursday, March 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The store is looking to fill positions for customer service associates, stockers, and cashiers. Walk-in interviews will be conducted, and applicants are encouraged to speak with the store manager on duty.
Big Lots originally faced closure following the company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in September 2024. At the time, the chain announced plans to close hundreds of stores nationwide as it struggled with declining sales and mounting debts.
New ownership under Variety Wholesalers, a company based in Henderson with a long history dating back to the 1940s, has given the Kinston store a second chance. Variety Wholesalers also owns Roses and Maxway, and has been actively expanding its presence in eastern North Carolina, including reopening stores in Greenville, Wilmington, and more.
Leo Lockhart, a well-known figure in the Kinston community and a former Kinston High School basketball standout, has returned to manage the store after originally starting his career there. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was transferred to Greenville but chose to come back to Kinston when the reopening opportunity arose.
Lockhart envisions a fresh new look for the store, incorporating more high-end clothing and even some small appliances — a nod to the classic Big Lots shopping experience. “It’s about bringing back the old Big Lots feel,” he said. The store is aiming for a soft launch on May 1, with new shelving and merchandise arriving in the coming weeks.
While the store has filled most of its staffing needs, it continues to accept applications and welcomes community support. “We’re glad we’re reopening, and we need the community’s support to keep us here in Kinston,” Lockhart said.
The store will operate seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. as it works to reestablish itself as a vital part of the local retail landscape.
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