The Big Lots in Lehighton is planning a soft reopening under new ownership on Thursday.

Jeff King, vice president of sales and marketing, Variety Wholesalers, said doors will open at 9 a.m. at the Big Lots at 1241 Blakeslee Blvd. Dr. E.

“We’re excited to return to the community, and we look to celebrate the grand reopening in the fall,” said King, who added it will be a part of all 219 Big Lots stores in the US celebrating on one day.

Located in the Carbon Plaza Mall, the Variety Wholesalers will continue to operate Big Lots in Lehighton under the current name after a deal with Gordon Brothers.

Big Lots, which filed for bankruptcy protection in September, reached a deal that will keep hundreds of its stores and distribution centers open.

Variety Wholesalers, a retail company, acquired over 200 Big Lots stores, including the one in Lehighton.

In addition to the Big Lots in Lehighton, the Big Lots at 156 Eagles Glen Plaza Suite 190 in East Stroudsburg was also slated to reopen on Thursday.

Victor Kelly, executive vice president of Larken Associates, which owns the Carbon Plaza Mall, said in March that the Big Lots in Lehighton was expected to reopen in mid-May.

The North Carolina-based owner of Roses and other discount chains, Variety Wholesalers plans to take over and operate the stores.

In a bankruptcy filing in February, Big Lots said it will transfer the locations as part of its agreement with Gordon Brothers, the restructuring and investment firm that took control of Big Lots earlier this year.

In January, Attorney General Michelle Henry notified Pennsylvania customers that Big Lots had announced that it could close the remainder of its stores amid Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.

That meant all remaining 64 Big Lots stores in Pennsylvania could have closed.

A federal bankruptcy court previously authorized Big Lots to conduct going-out-of business sales at all of its remaining stores, which began Dec. 20, 2024.

The bankruptcy court had established an amended deadline of Jan. 31 for consumers, who many have claims against Big Lots, to file a Proof of Claim.