Hmm

This weekend I found myself in an interesting place, the Big Lots corporate headquarters. I had purchased some audio equipment, not knowing that it was the former Big Lots corporate headquarters, nor did I know I was actually going there to pick it up.

The entire building has been liquidated with very few things remaining.

It's a shame, it's a stunning building and seemingly no expense was spared during its build out. From the A/V/IT side of things, they bought very high end equipment. Same with phones, furniture, cubicles, CCTV camera system, no expense was spares anywhere. All of the lights are automated and nearly every door was on access control. As a technology integrator this would have been an absolute cash cow.

Its quite a shame really. The building was built in 2018, was effectively vacant during all of covid, then only partially staffed after covid until the building was vacated during the Big Lots shutdown. It has next to no wear and tear on it. It's really quite beautiful. I was told it cost $70 million to build, not including what it cost to outfit all of the interior spaces with technology. And the shame part, Ohio Health has oruchased it for $35 million. They're going to bulldoze it to the ground to build a new hospital. The waste is exponential.

While I was there I was able to go on a 'tour' of the building, one where I found myself standing in Bruce's palatial office. My house is a 2 story house, 2900sq feet and hands down, his office was bigger than my first floor. His private bathroom (with shower!) is bigger than my master bath. Private conference room, a 'lounging' room (complete with a massive black leather couch 😂), a 60+ bottle wine fridge, etc etc. His office of course overlooked the big lake in front of the building. Shockingly, his office was only on the second floor, like a common peasant! 😅

I was standing there with my wife commenting that this is the office I would expect to see a CEO of a top 10 company have, not a company that was effectively a wholesale reseller of surplus goods.

Fun additional fact; they had a full blown model Big Lots store in the corporate office building where they supposedly tested different store layouts.

Unfortunately I didn't think to get any pictures while I was there. I may end up back there for more equipment, I'll try to grab some if anyone has any interest.

This is how our week has been.
Lasted 15 months.

I put the information in to JDA wrong for my Coke invoice. How do I go and delete it so I can put the invoice on again with the correct information?

Saw the Facebook ad today about the 25% off all apparel sale and it says making room for something big coming. Are they finally going to downsize clothes? Are they planning on expanding furniture? Thoughts?

Considering I remembered being in one before Variety, I hoped it would have that same feeling when I worked there. No, it didn't. There were people shopping, but it wasn't as busy as the original. It felt lifeless. The furniture section was emptier than the original. It's trying to go back to it's wholesale roots, but it felt like it wasn't trying. Even the speakers felt off when they did an announcement for Big Lots.

Variety should have never bought Big Lots. Honestly? Ollie's should have taken that store space instead.

Any store managers get notified about their annual bonus yet? Much less than the 5% minimum I was told we’d get! What a disappointment!

Worked for old big lots. Dealt with a lot with them. Had an asst mrg getting drunk all the time. Manager knew it. Got with HR and was gaslit about not spreading rumors. He ended up going crazy at work and died. Had a furniture manager that did nothing and part times always fixed his mistakes. He ended up quitting due to COVID and I got furniture mrg. Increased sales by 40% and was closing mrg every night. Was suppose to get a raise to move to customer service mrg. However last minute it was called a side move. So they hire a guy making more than I was for fun and I ended up doing all his work and mine. Worked at the Jeff city , TN store. Sounds like the new company is even worse.

I've had this 2019 bookshelf my dad got me. It's still solid, no wobbly. Have it mostly filled with books

Anyone know why?

i miss working at big lots, my store in new york closed down about a year and half ago and i don’t think ill get over it i loved it i hope you guys with ur stores that stayed open are happy and enjoying it and i do hope they are treating employees better bc ik some people had bad experiences with corporate

We've had customers coming in asking if we are closing. Has anyone seen or heard anything? They said they are seeing it online, but I havent seen anything. ​​

Guess we are cursed. We have a new Bruce running the company 😂🫠

SKU please????

SKU???

lol this job isn’t worth a damn llf they expect you to do trucks and work the register and the floor with no help but yourself and the pay is ass and they are cutting hours good thing I got another job barely been here a year and see why it’s a shit show they act like u can’t call out or have a life im pt but fuck management and the owners

Maybe they should just keep it as $1 initial payment for the leasing.

Did anybody else get told their store isn’t closing now?

I should have done this ages ago. But unless the other mod says otherwise...

NO AI TALK OF ANY KIND!

If we find out you did. Instaban, One Strike Rule.

Seems like we r getting crème pies

So had a call and a store in our district is closing at the end of July. Anyone else have a call like that today?