Tennessee
Why Big Lots announced going out of business sales at remaining locations. What to know about closures in Tennessee
Big Lots: Rising inflation forcing retailer to close dozens of stores
Big Lots plans to close 35-40 stores this year, highlighting economic challenges facing large retailers. The closures include four stores in Michigan.
Big Lots has closed over 400 stores in 2024 and has now announced going out business sales across its remaining locations.
On Thursday, Big Lots announced in a news release that it did not anticipate a sale to Nexus Capital Management going through. In this deal, Nexus Capital Management would have taken over Big Lots by early January helping the chain achieve financial stability.
Here’s what to know about Big Lots closures in Tennessee.
Is Big Lots closing all its stores?
Big Lots does not have any plans to close all of its stores yet. The going out of business (GOB) sales are a way for the company “protect the value of its estate,” according to their statement. The goal is for the sales to allow Big Lots to continue being a company that is financially stable enough to meet obligations and continue business in the near future.
“We all have worked extremely hard and have taken every step to complete a going concern sale. While we remain hopeful that we can close an alternative going concern transaction, in order to protect the value of the Big Lots estate, we have made the difficult decision to begin the GOB process,” said Bruce Thorn, Big Lots’ President and Chief Executive Officer,
The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September after announcing the original plan to close less than 50 stores in July. There have been over 400 stores announced for closure since then.
Which Big Lots stores in Tennessee are closing?
As previously reported by USA TODAY, the stores closing in Tennessee include two stores outside Nashville and one in northwest Tennessee. They are:
There has been one store added to the closing list:
How many Big Lots are there in Tennessee?
There are a total of 47, soon to be 43, Big Lots stores across Tennessee. Locations include Chattanooga, Clarksville, Memphis, Knoxville and more. A complete list of Big Lots stores can be found at local.biglots.com/tn.
Why is Big Lots closing stores?
High inflation and interest rates are impacting Big Lots like many other stores. Additionally, a news release from the company said economic trends like customer spending on home and seasonal products, have affected the company’s revenue.
The company had previously reported that sales in the first quarter of 2024 fell more than 10% compared to the previous year. The company did perform better in the second quarter, yielding improved comp sales.
“While the company’s underlying performance has been improving, the Board of Directors conducted a broad strategic review of alternatives and determined that entering into the Sale Agreement with Nexus, and initiating a court-supervised sale process, is the best path forward to maximize value and ensure continued operations,” wrote Big Lots in the news release.
Tennessee
Alex Golesh hires former Tennessee analyst as Auburn’s coordinator
Alex Golesh was introduced as Auburn’s head coach on Dec. 1. He served as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator and tight ends coach from 2021-22.
Golesh announced the hiring of Jacob Bronowski as Auburn’s special teams coordinator. He served as the Vols’ special teams analyst in 2021 under head coach Josh Heupel. Bronowski was also under Heupel at UCF in 2020 as special teams quality control.
“His track record is outstanding,” Golesh said of Bronowski. “He developed multiple national award contenders, including a Lou Groza Award winner, and has led some of the top special teams units in the country.
“I saw up close when we worked together before that coach Bronowski understands that special teams can be a championship difference-maker, and he’s proven he can develop elite specialists. He brings exactly the attention to detail and relentless work ethic we need in our program.”
Auburn will play at Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
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Tennessee
Tennessee football’s 2026 schedule complete with opponents, dates
Tennessee football will host Lane Kiffin, Alex Golesh and possibly Arch Manning at Neyland Stadium in the 2026 season.
UT’s opponents for the next four seasons were previously announced. On Dec. 11, the SEC released the dates of every conference game, providing the full picture of the 2026 schedule.
Game times and television designations will be announced later.
Texas will make its first trip ever to Tennessee on Sept. 26. Manning, the Longhorns quarterback, is expected to return for the 2026 season rather than enter the NFL draft. If so, he’ll face the Vols on the home turf of his uncle, legendary quarterback Peyton Manning.
Golesh, the former UT offensive coordinator, is Auburn’s new coach. He will return to Knoxville for an Oct. 3 game.
Alabama will play at Tennessee on Oct. 17, continuing their Third Saturday in October rivalry game.
Kiffin, the polarizing former UT coach, is now coaching LSU after bolting Ole Miss after the regular season ended. He will return to Knoxville for a Nov. 21 game. Three of the five SEC teams visiting Neyland Stadium will have a first-year coach, including Kentucky’s Will Stein on Nov. 7.
Tennessee will play Alabama, Kentucky and Vanderbilt as annual SEC opponents in the league’s new nine-game conference schedule. Its other six opponents will rotate each season. That means each school will play every SEC opponent home and away every four years.
Tennessee will have one open week on Oct. 31 and thus won’t play on Halloween.
Here is Tennessee’s week-to-week schedule for the 2026 season.
Tennessee football 2026 schedule
- Sept. 5: Furman
- Sept. 12: At Georgia Tech
- Sept. 19: Kennesaw State
- Sept. 26: Texas*
- Oct. 3: Auburn*
- Oct. 10: At Arkansas*
- Oct. 17: Alabama*
- Oct. 24: At South Carolina*
- Oct. 31: Open
- Nov. 7: Kentucky*
- Nov. 14: At Texas A&M*
- Nov. 21: LSU*
- Nov. 28: At Vanderbilt*
*SEC game
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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Tennessee
Dragos Cazacu signs with Tennessee
Tennessee announced the signing of graduate student Dragos Cazacu on Wednesday. He is from Constanta, Romania.
“Dragos is someone we believe can translate all of his professional experience and success seamlessly to high level college tennis,” Tennessee associate head coach Matt Lucas said. “He’s a very mature young man who has finished university in Romania, so we know the type of student athlete we are getting. Winning ITF Pro Circuit titles, all while doing his degree back home shows he will transition nicely to Tennessee in January.”
Cazacu competed on the ATP Tour prior to Tennessee. His highest ranking was No. 763 in singles and No. 495 in doubles.
Tennessee will begin its spring men’s tennis season versus ETSU on Jan. 9, 2026 at Goodfriend Tennis Center. SEC competition will begin Feb. 21, 2026 at Kentucky.
The Vols’ home opener in SEC play is scheduled for Feb. 27, 2026 versus Auburn at Goodfriend Tennis Center.
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