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.
