Big Lots to Open Distribution Center in Merrillville
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Ohio-based discount retailer Big Lots Inc. (NYSE: BIG) is planning to open a distribution center in Merrillville, according to our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana. The Merrillville Economic Development Corp. says the company will lease a 261,000-square-foot facility in the AmeriPlex at the Crossroads business park.
The city says the distribution facility will serve Big Lots’ furniture line.
According to the company’s latest quarterly earnings report, the retailer is planning to open 50 new stores in 2022, as part of its business strategy.
“[We will] further roll out programs to drive merchandise productivity, and continue to improve our supply chain infrastructure to enable us to serve our customers how, when and where they want to shop,” said Big Lots President and Chief Executive Officer Bruce Thorn.
Dallas-based Crow Holdings invested $21 million to develop the speculative building that Big Lots intends to use for its distribution operations. Additional work is expected.
“We’re going to be putting in an additional couple million dollars as part of this lease to build out an office for Big Lots,” said Sean Andrews of Crow Holdings. “We’re going to be securing the premises as well as some additional warehouse improvements, so our overall investment in the project will be approaching the mid $20 millions.”
The publication says Crow Holdings is planning for a 150,000-square-foot spec building. Andrews says there are potential tenants, but no agreements are in place.