11 Things We'll Miss When Big Lots! is Gone

Big Lots is a staple in many U.S. communities and was the place to go to save more on everyday essentials. With the announcement of its closure after filing for bankruptcy, all the things we’ll miss are coming to mind. While some stores will remain open for now, others are already closed.

For many, it’s the end of an era, with the store holding a special place in their hearts. There are so many things to miss, but here are the ones we’ll miss the most.

Big Lots was the place to go for low prices on pretty much everything you needed. It was a budget-friendly option for home goods, groceries, cleaning products, furniture, and more. They also had the “closeout” section with even bigger discounts.

Price cuts on items we love, coupled with regular sales and coupons, meant bottom dollar for top-dollar products.

One of the best parts of shopping at Big Lots is never knowing what you’ll find. It was often an unpredictable experience where you could discover hidden gems while grabbing your everyday necessities.

You could score discounted furniture and small appliances along with an unexpected lamp, area rug, or patio set. Their “closeout” model meant finding quality items at low prices, and sometimes, you never knew what you’d walk out with.

Another closeout deal perk is that you could find name-brand items for less than at traditional retailers. There were often name brands in every department, from furniture to clothing or kitchen appliances.

Regular retail’s loss was our gain at Big Lots. Name-brand products that didn’t sell at normal prices would end up on Big Lots’ shelves at steep discounts.

Many customers bought affordable, quality furniture at Big Lots. You could refresh your space or furnish a new home without overspending. One Reddit user shared, “My recliner, the best recliner I've ever had, going 7 years strong with zero issues, not even any squeaks or clunks, is from Big Lots. Best $350 I ever spent on a chair. Now that they won't be around, I know I'll never find as good a deal and for a quality item like I would have with them.”

Other Big Lots furniture options included couches, dining sets, dressers, coffee tables, and many others.

Books can be expensive, but Big Lots provided affordable options for readers. “Walk in with $10. Walk out with three or four new books. Thank you, Big Lots,” one customer detailed. They would have new books all the time, so you always had something to pick from to add to your bookshelf.

Big Lots became an ideal place to shop for holiday and seasonal decor. You could find Christmas lights and ornaments, Halloween decorations, spring garden items, summer decor, and more. They had affordable items to add a festive look to your home for the changing seasons.

One Redditor raved, “Eight years ago I went in on January 6th to a 90% off sale and bought all my Xmas decorations for our new home, including a discounted $300 tree. I had 2 carts. I still have so much decor I can still change everything up every year.”

Even if your home is already decorated, it’s nice to refresh it every once in a while. Adding a new piece is sometimes all you have to do, and Big Lots had plenty of choices. You could find the perfect statement piece or accents to make your space exactly what you wanted.

One of the things to miss about Big Lots is the familiar layout and simplicity of the store. They didn’t often move things around, so you knew where to go for the things you needed. It made for a stress-free shopping experience.

Plus, regulars and employees came to recognize one another, and the staff was approachable and willing to help.

Big Lots was known for great prices on mattresses, bedding, and pillows. On one Reddit thread, multiple customers gave their thoughts on these items.

One said, “Big Lots had great deals on mattresses back in the day. What a shame,” while another raved, “They have the best mattresses for the best prices!” A third user shared, “I think I have bought every pillow I've ever owned (except one) from Big Lots.”

Some customers loved finding movies at Big Lots, with one Reddit user detailing, “used to find clearance movies for like $0.75 to $1.50 and stocked up my collection big time by nailing deals like that.”

Big Lots has always had affordable kitchenware, and it’s one of the things we’ll miss the most. From cookware sets to storage containers and everything in between, you could find whatever you needed, plus a few extras.

Big Lots closing will leave us missing so many things, and it’s hard not to feel a sense of nostalgia. You could get something for every room of your home, plus a snack, without overspending.

However, just because Big Lots is closing doesn’t mean you can’t save money. You can find plenty of ways to keep more cash in your wallet at the other places you shop.