Big Lots set to change Austintown locations

Both of the chain's new area stores are opening in former Ames locations.
AUSTINTOWN -- Big Lots has added 35 employees to staff its new Austintown store, opening this weekend at 4341 Kirk Road in space formerly occupied by Ames Department Store.
The Columbus-based retailer closed another Austintown store Wednesday at 1730 S. Raccoon Road, transferring its 21 full- and part-time workers to the new location. Kent Larsson, a spokesman for the chain, said the new store is larger and employs 56.
Doors opened Thursday at the Kirk Road location in the Western Fair Plaza, and a grand opening is set for 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Larsson said the retailer has included a Big Lots Furniture department in the Kirk Road space, part of its move to add furniture sales to its stores around the country. About two-thirds of the chain's nearly 1,400 stores sell furniture.
Originally, Minnesota-based Snyders Drug Stores planned to open a a Drug Emporium store next door to Big Lots in the same plaza. Snyders canceled the project last month, however, after the company filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition.
Larsson said Big Lots also plans to open a store in late November at 2350 E. State St., Salem, another former Ames site. That store, the chain's first in Salem, will include a furniture department.
Based in Columbus, Big Lots specializes in closeout merchandise -- name-brand products acquired from manufacturers and retailers who want to reduce inventory. Its stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BLI.