Big Lots is closing in Sheboygan and could be among several Wisconsin stores to close

SHEBOYGAN – Big Lots in Sheboygan could be among a handful of Wisconsin locations to close.

The discount store, 3426 Kohler Memorial Drive, is expected to close but doesn’t have a final timeline yet, according to staff at the Sheboygan location.

When asked about more details on the closure, staff said no comment.

The store is having a closing sale with items up to a 20% discount.

Big Lots plans to close 35 to 40 stores and open three stores this year, according to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing . Specific locations weren’t identified in the filing. The retail chain began the first quarter of 2024 with 33 fewer stores than last year.

"In 2024, the U.S. economy has continued to face macroeconomic challenges including elevated inflation, which has adversely impacted the buying power of our customer," the company said in the filing.

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Orange bars of text with “Closing this location” on the top of webpages for the West Bend, Mount Pleasant and Fond du Lac locations indicate they could close, too.

Kevin Deanovich, manager of the Fond du Lac location, said he isn’t sure when the store will close but it could be early October.

When asked why the store was closing, Deanovich said the larger chain’s business is in a “pretty bad state.” He said Big Lots typically picks stores with “not good sales” to close.

A few Wisconsin stores also have leases up for renewal, which may have contributed to the decision to close them, he said. According to Deanovich, the Fond du Lac store’s lease is not up for renewal, but the lot is for sale. Deanovich said he thinks this helped Big Lots decide to close the Fond du Lac store.

When calling the Mount Pleasant location to learn more about the store’s future, staff hung up the phone. The West Bend store manager wasn’t immediately available to offer comment for this article, according to store staff.

Sheboygan's Big Lots opened in the Memorial Plaza in 2002, occupying a 37,000-square-foot space in the shopping center. A Michaels craft store recently opened , replacing the OfficeMax.

The store is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays-Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays.

Have a story tip? Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com . Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @alexx_garner .

This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Big Lots is closing in Sheboygan and could be among several Wisconsin stores to close