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.

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“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.