Discount retail furniture giant to close 2 metro-east stores. Liquidation sale has begun

Retailer Big Lots will close more than 250 stores after a drop in sales this year, including locations in Centralia and Fairview Heights.

An employee at the Centralia store confirmed to the BND Tuesday morning the store will be closing , but a closing date has not been finalized yet. The location is running a liquidation sale with items up to 20% off.

Fairview Heights employees were not able to confirm a closing date for the location, but Big Lots has announced that store will be closing , as well.

It was not immediately clear how many local employees would lose their jobs.

The southwestern Illinois locations are two of nine stores in the Land of Lincoln that will close, according to KHMO. Other Illinois store closures include Burbank, Calumet City, Crest Hill, Elgin, Lockport, Niles and Oakbrook Terrace.

Across the U.S., at least 289 Big Lots stores will be closing, Mass Live reported Friday, representing about 21% of the chain’s locations. Big Lots has about 1,400 locations nationwide.

The retailer may close up to 315 stores , according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Big Lots stores sell furniture, mattresses, patio furniture, home items and more. The company has previously reported a 10% drop in sales in the first quarter of 2024.

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