COVINGTON, Ga. — It appears that the Big Lots in Covington is here to stay.

After the wholesale giant filed for bankruptcy last December, the shutdown of all stores nationwide appeared imminent. This left Covingtonians uncertain what would become of the local Big Lots location.

But just days before the new year, Big Lots announced that it had reached an agreement with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, which would distribute Big Lots’ assets and property to retailers. 

One such retailer was Variety Wholesalers, a North Carolina-based retail company. In January, The Covington News reported that the company planned to retain between 200 and 400 Big Lots stores and two distribution centers. They would allow the stores to keep operating under the same brand and name.

At the time, it was not known which stores Variety Wholesalers might choose to save, and the future of Covington’s own Big Lots, located at 3111 U.S. 278 NW (in Newton Plaza), was uncertain. 

But a recent redecoration of the storefront signaled that the Covington site has been rescued. Additionally, a press release lists thirteen locations throughout Georgia that are expected to remain operational under Variety. Covington is one of them.

Until recently, the Big Lots in Covington had a “CLOSING” banner across the front of the store. It was recently replaced by a new banner that read, “The comeback starts soon!”

Variety Wholesalers operates other wholesale stores across the southeast. Most notably, they are behind the Roses and Roses Express brands, which has a location on Turner Lake Road.