Former Big Lots in Satilla Shopping Mall to Remain Open Under New Ownership

03/10/2025

Waycross Journal Herald

The Big Lots located in the Satilla Shopping Mall on Knight Avenue, will remain open under new ownership. Variety Wholesalers, a retail company that owns brands such as Bargain Town, Maxway, Bill's Dollar Stores, Roses Express, and Roses Discount, has acquired the location as part of a broader deal to keep select Big Lots stores in operation.

The Waycross location is one of approximately 200 stores that will continue business despite Big Lots' recent financial challenges. Other nearby stores in Brunswick (Altama Avenue) and Valdosta (East Northside Drive) are also included in this transition.

Big Lots announced in December 2024 that it would begin going-out-of-business sales at all its stores as part of efforts to “protect the value of its estate.” However, the company later secured a deal with Gordon Brothers and Variety Wholesalers, allowing between 200 and 400 stores to remain open rather than facing full liquidation. This agreement helped preserve many locations even as Big Lots filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and listed hundreds of stores for sale.

As part of this transition, Variety Wholesalers has taken over a number of stores across several states, including Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Indiana.

Despite the corporate restructuring, the local store’s continued operation ensures that Waycross residents will still have access to a familiar shopping destination.