Connecticut
Norwich Big Lots store among nine closing in CT: What customers had to say about it
When the Norwich Big Lots closes, local shoppers will have to rethink their plans.
The discount retailer recently announced the closure 293 stores across the country. The Norwich one is one of nine closing in Connecticut. The company cited declining sales as the reason for the closure, according to USA Today.
There will be seven locations remaining in Connecticut, with the locations at 940 Silver Lane in East Hartford and 820 Washington St. in Middletown being the closest to the Norwich area. Out of state, the closest remaining locations are 116 E. Main St., Webster, Massachusetts, and 217 S. Main St., Warwick, Rhode Island.
Plenty of regular customers were at the Norwich Big Lots Tuesday afternoon to get their shopping done. While the store still had plenty of items in stock, from everyday goods to fall and Halloween decorations, store signs reminded customers that all sales are final, and that the store wouldn’t take checks.
The staff are kind
Killingly resident Gail Erskine heard about the closing a couple weeks ago. Patty Erskine, Gail Erskine’s sister, said they’ve been shopping at the Norwich Big Lots for a couple years,” whenever we come down to Norwich.” The store has good deals on plenty of things, including the drinks Gail Erskine likes.
“The staff in there are sweet,” Patty Erskine said, “I feel bad for them closing.”
Gail Erskine hopes another good store can fill the void left in the Norwichtown Commons, and that the employees can find jobs, “especially in this economy.”
“I’d be a little depressed at first with losing a job, but my fingers are crossed that they can find a job,” she said.
Bob’s Stores closing all locations in Connecticut, begins clearance sale. What to know
“Can they reconsider?”
Salem resident Jessi Crisman visits the Big Lots weekly because of a good variety with good prices. Crisman and her mother Sunny Crisman are both upset about the Norwich store closing, as “it’s a one-stop shop,” Crisman said.
Online shopping services, including Amazon and Temu, are hurting retail, Sunny Crisman said.
“Everything’s closing, between the banks and the grocery stores; look at Crystal Mall for goodness sake,” she said.
Crisman made the most of the store closing sale, as she loaded her car with plenty of things, including a large pink pillow.
“We just spent a lot of money; can they reconsider when they cash out tonight?” Sunny Crisman said.
Family shopping trip
Voluntown resident Erica Tefft went shopping with her four children on Tuesday. She visits the store a few times a month. While Tefft likes her gardening supplies, it’s a pastime for the family to “find what we find” at the store.
“I’m sad that its closing,” she said. “I didn’t even know until we just pulled in.”
The closest thing to Big Lots Tefft could think of in the area is the Ollie’s Bargain Outlet in Waterford.
“That store is pretty fun too,” she said.
More than 200 people gathered May 28 in Norwalk for a night of food and entertainment supporting Connecticut Foodshare’s mission to fight food insecurity.
The second annual Taste of SoNo brought together local restaurants, business leaders, community partners, volunteers, donors, and supporters to celebrate Fairfield County’s vibrant culinary community.
The event took place in The Magnificent Room at the SoNo Collection.
Guests sampled offerings from more than a dozen local restaurants, distilleries, breweries, and other exhibitors.
They also learned more about Connecticut Foodshare’s work through its network of community partners, mobile pantries, and other hunger-relief programs.
Community Impact
The evening featured live music and a silent auction with dining, music, and sports experiences, along with artwork and sports memorabilia.
“We are extremely thankful to everyone who attended and supported Connecticut Foodshare through this event,” said Connecticut Foodshare president and CEO Jason Jakubowski.
“The generosity of our restaurant partners, sponsors, volunteers, and guests helps us continue our mission.”
Connecticut Foodshare’s Jason Jakubowski
“The generosity of our restaurant partners, sponsors, volunteers, and guests helps us continue our mission to end hunger in Connecticut and ensure that families facing food insecurity have access to the nutritious food they need.”
Connecticut Foodshare hosted the event for the second year and has already started planning next year’s Taste of SoNo.
Mainly dry with more clouds and a spotty shower/storm today! Briefly humid conditions with some rain/thunder tomorrow before dry and less humid weather returns again for Friday, Juneteenth. We need rain, as parts of Connecticut continue to experience moderate drought conditions and the next drought update comes out tomorrow! So far, the Father’s Day weekend is looking mainly dry and nice!
The tropical Atlantic remains mostly quiet, with only one area in the western Gulf. At this point, it has a 50% chance of development over the next 7 days. The circulation will bring severe flooding inland from Texas through the southeast!
Early this morning: A few clouds and still comfortable with lows 50-59. A pretty sunrise possible in parts of CT.
Today: Clouds and sun with still low humidity. A widely scattered shower or t-storm in the afternoon/evening. The highest chance will be in the western half of Connecticut. Highs 75-80.
Tonight: A bit windy for the evening with rising humidity overnight. Some spotty light rain possible late. Lows 60-65.
Tomorrow: Humid and windy with more numerous showers and storms. Not all day rain & some sunny breaks too! There is a strong storm potential with a strong wind gust. Highs in the upper 70s to the low 80s. Wind gusts to 35 mph.
Friday (Juneteenth): Clouds and sun and less humid. Rain just south of Long Island. Windy with highs 75-80
Saturday: Partly sunny, windy and nice with highs near 80.
Sunday (Father’s Day and 1st Day of Summer): Mostly sunny, breezy and pleasant. Highs near 80.
Monday: Beneficial rain with highs in the 70s.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny and warmer with highs 80-85.
Wednesday: Partly sunny. Highs in the low to mid 80s.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Housing advocates and experts are weighing in on a recent report on Connecticut’s housing crisis, after the state received a failing score for a second year in a row.
Titled “Grading the States: Affordability & Homebuilding Report Cards,” the Nutmeg State ranks at number 46 compared to all 50 states. Each grade is weighed on a 100-point scale across two factors: affordability and homebuilding.
The median household income sits at $95,392 per year in Connecticut, yet the median listing price for a home lands a little over $500,000.
While some believe there is some truth to the score, people like Connecticut Realtor Michael Barbaro say it’s a bit of an oversimplification.
“The fact is, we’re a small state. We have high density, we have older housing stock,” Barbaro said. “So all these factors coming together, giving us that score is probably not fair. It’s probably penalizing us for characteristics that we just can’t change here.”
While Connecticut has seen a rise in building permits, factors like a high cost of living, rising construction costs and restrictive regulations aren’t helping in the eyes of some.
To address the state’s housing needs, at least 120,000 units need to be built, according to a 2025 commissioned study by the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management.
“We’re digging out of like a really deep hole on under production,” Chelsea Ross, executive director of the Partnership for Strong Communities, said. “So it’s going to take us a while to have that part of our grade increase.”
State lawmakers passed legislation last year, formally known as House Bill 5002, with the goal to incentivize new builds and alter zoning regulations.
While advocates of the bill praised the step, some say it’s just a start.
“What we have is kind of a framework for that work, but no real enforcement on how suburbs are going to handle that and ensure that they’re building more affordable housing,” Representative Antonio Felipe, chair of the legislative housing committee said.
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