The Big Lots in Lehighton is expected to stay in business and reopen in mid-May.

Located in the Carbon Plaza Mall, the Big Lots at 1241 Blakeslee Blvd. Dr. E. is one of the stores that Variety Wholesalers is expected to continue to operate under the Big Lots 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, is expected to take over 200 to 400 Big Lots stores, including the one in Lehighton.

Contacted Friday morning, Victor Kelly, executive vice president of Larken Associates, which owns the Carbon Plaza Mall, said the store will “supposedly” remain as a Big Lots.

Kelly added the store is 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 may have claims against Big Lots, to file a Proof of Claim.