Employees, customers, ambassadors for the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce and city officials were on hand for the official grand opening of Big Lots Saturday morning, Dec. 10. Store manager Amy Johnson and Keith Jacobson, district manager, are shown in the center with the large gold scissors. Other employees participating were Matthew Manuel, Mackensie Quick, Rita Charles, Tim Davis, Chris Fisher, Bryce Johnson, Nicole Sellers, and Tracy Lisenbee. Photos by Deb Patterson.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — “Welcome back” has been a consistent comment from customers at the new Big Lots, 2806 Frontage Road, Warsaw.

The store opened its doors for business about a month ago. Keith Jacobsen, district manager, noted the soft opening allowed kinks to be worked out. “Welcome back has been a constant comment from customers.” Big Lots was located for a number of years west of Warsaw on Lake Street, before closing.

The official grand opening began Saturday morning, Dec. 10 and will end Sunday evening, Dec. 11. The Warsaw location was one of 13 new store grand openings taking place over the weekend.

“This is absolutely the nicest Big Lots I’ve ever been in, in the country,” stated Rob Parker, Kosciusko Chamber President and CEO. “This is a needed retailer in our community.”

Amy Johnson, Big Lots store manager; Scott Wiley, members relation manager; Keith Jacobsen, Big Lots district manager; and Rob Parker, President and CEO of the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce, pose for a group photo following the ribbon cutting.

Jacobsen was on hand to greet customers and hand out 150 scratch off tickets. Those tickets allowed every customer to be a winner, ranging from dollars off to $250 in cash. His excitement and pride in the facility radiated with each customer he greeted.

“First and foremost, Big Lots is committed to a lot of things in the community — exceptional value, treasurers and bargains for customers,” he stated. Additionally, he stated, the company is committed to help “people live big and save lots while helping to make a difference, not only inside the store, but the community that we live and work in.”

Jacobsen stated “We want to be a good neighbor. We want the community to let us know if we’re doing well, or what we could do better. We’re not afraid of feed back.”

“The company’s innovative,” Jacobsen said. “You can obviously tell by the design of the new stores. It’s not your old style Big Lots. This is Big Lots’ store of the future.”

He pointed out when customers walk through the store they will notice innovations, and cool things. Its furniture department features Broyhill and Ashley brands with most of the items in stock. “We also have treasurers along the side of the store for home furnishings. Not just home furnishings things you can do to build a kitchen.” There are items where an entire dorm room could be built if necessary. There’s soft apparel, seasonality items for all seasons, towels, health and beauty aids.

You can’t forget about the toy selection with name brand toys providing nice values. There’s four isles for pets, along with cleaners, household paper products and consumable foods.

“Honestly, we’re that one-stop shop. We’re that tweener customers,” said Jacobsen.

During the grand opening event, which goes through Sunday, Dec. 11, they will be giving out all kinds of “cool stuff” according to Jacobson. Those who are rewards members get extra added specials.

Jacobson noted the company’s rewards program, which he encourages everyone to “be tethered to,” is “the best way we can communicate to the consumer with our ads, our values. Also you save money.” He noted its loyalty program is listed on Newsweek’s list of best loyalty programs in America.

A big cheer went up when the ribbon was cut for the official opening of Big Lots.

Locally, the store is employing 30 people, that will ebb and flow with the seasons. Overall Big Lots has over 35,000 employees and co-workers nationwide with many distribution centers and 1,500 stores across the nation, 50 of those just opening in 2022.

“We try to bring value, treasures and bargains to the customer to help you both live big and save big at Big Lots,” stated Jacobson. “We have cool stuff going on. We do all kind of things every other month. We do a charity – sometimes breast cancer, sometimes National Children’s Hospital …”

Parker stated “We believe that more retailers will absolutely succeed in our community. We have the wherewithal to make it financially viable for those retailers and we absolutely love having Big Lots here.”

Additionally, Parker noted their involvement in the community is important. “Any time you want to be seen as a local, then you need to engage with the locals and Big Lots and Keith have made a very big commitment ensuring they are going to be a key member of our community. It’s not just a store. It’s a place that engages with the community and makes it a better place for everyone .. it’s great to have Big Lots here. It’s as simple as that.”