Big Lots in Hercules slated to close

The discount chain store recently announced in a regulatory filing that it plans to close as many as 315 stores nationwide, including 75 of its 109 stores in California, citing in part perstitent high inflation that has impacted customer buying power.

In a city newsletter published last week, Hercules City Manager Dante Hall reports that the Big Lots lease runs through the end of January 2025, and that the space is currently being marketed for lease.

“Staff is meeting with the leasing team and sharing information about the city’s sales tax leakage and desired business types,” Hall said. “At 31,000 square feet, this space is over 10 times larger than the next-largest vacant space in Hercules. Typical users in spaces this size include grocers and clothiers, pet stores, and office supply stores. Stay tuned as we continue to work with the leasing team to fill this critical retail space.”

California was hardest hit of all states by the Big Lots closures. The company has not yet announced plans to close any of its 116 locations in Texas.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly indicated that a Big Lots store still exists in San Pablo.