Big Lots

For many residents across South Carolina, particularly those in the Columbia area, Big Lots is a familiar name associated with value, variety, and the thrill of a good deal. This popular discount retailer specializes in offering an ever-changing assortment of closeout, overstock, and seasonal merchandise, alongside everyday essentials like groceries and home goods, all at significantly reduced prices. The Big Lots location at 9221 Two Notch Road #30 in Columbia, SC, has long served as a local hub for shoppers looking to stretch their budgets and discover unexpected treasures. This article aims to provide a clear, engaging, and informative overview of what makes this specific Big Lots a suitable and appealing option for local users in the South Carolina community, highlighting its offerings, accessibility, and current operational status.

Big Lots operates on an opportunistic buying model, acquiring merchandise from manufacturers and distributors who have overstock, discontinued products, or packaging changes. This strategy allows Big Lots to offer a diverse range of items at competitive prices, creating a "treasure hunt" experience for shoppers, where the inventory is constantly refreshed. However, recent times have brought a degree of uncertainty for the brand. As one customer review from December 2024 noted, there were reports of all locations potentially closing, followed by executives indicating they "may have worked out a deal," leaving many to "stick around and see what 2025 brings." More recent information from March 2025 indicates that while other locations may have closed, the Two Notch Road location in Columbia was expected to reopen after a temporary closure for a "slightly different format" by mid-May or early June, signaling a potential revitalization. This resilience and adaptation underline the brand's commitment to continuing to serve its customer base. Despite a frustrating isolated incident shared by a customer regarding a return of clothing that didn't fit, the general appeal of Big Lots lies in its ability to offer affordable solutions for a wide array of household needs, making it a key shopping destination for budget-conscious South Carolinians.

The Big Lots store in Columbia is conveniently located at 9221 Two Notch Rd #30, Columbia, SC 29223, USA. This address places it along Two Notch Road, a major commercial artery in Columbia, ensuring excellent visibility and easy access for residents across various neighborhoods in Richland County. Two Notch Road is a well-known and heavily trafficked route, making the store straightforward to reach by car from different parts of the city and surrounding areas.

Situated within a shopping plaza, the location typically offers ample parking, which is a significant convenience for shoppers planning to purchase larger items like furniture or multiple bags of groceries. This ease of parking contributes to a stress-free shopping experience. For South Carolina locals, the accessibility of this Big Lots location means they can easily integrate a visit into their errands, whether it's a dedicated shopping trip for specific home needs or a quick stop to see what new deals have arrived. Its presence in a well-established retail corridor also means it's often close to other popular shops and amenities, enhancing overall shopping convenience within the area.

Big Lots focuses on providing a diverse retail selection at discount prices, making its "services" primarily about the breadth and value of its merchandise. They aim to be a one-stop shop for various household needs.

• Extensive Product Categories: Big Lots offers a wide array of merchandise that caters to almost every room in the house, including:
  • Furniture: A notable offering, Big Lots provides affordable options for living room, bedroom, dining room, and outdoor furniture, often under their private label "Real Living."
  • Home Decor & Accents: A constantly changing selection of decorative items, wall art, lamps, rugs, bedding, bath essentials, and kitchenware.
  • Groceries & Consumables: A significant portion of their inventory includes packaged foods, snacks, beverages, health and beauty products, cleaning supplies, paper products, and pet essentials.
  • Seasonal & Holiday Items: Large selections of decorations, outdoor living products, and gifts tailored to current holidays and seasons.
  • Electronics & Toys: Discounted small electronics, gadgets, and a variety of toys and games for children.
  • Apparel & Accessories: Limited selections of clothing and accessories for the family.
  • Everyday Essentials: Items for general household maintenance and personal care.
• Big Rewards Loyalty Program: This program (formerly Buzz Club Rewards) allows customers to earn rewards on purchases, receive exclusive discounts, and get advance notice of new closeouts and special events. They have also introduced a new mobile app for enhanced rewards management.
• Customer Service & Assistance: Staff are available to assist customers on the sales floor with locating items, answering product questions, and at checkout.
• Layaway Program: Big Lots often offers a layaway program, allowing customers to pay for items over time, which can be particularly useful for larger purchases like furniture.
• Delivery Options: For bulkier items, local delivery services may be available, providing convenience for furniture and large home goods purchases.
• Online Shopping with In-Store Pickup: Customers can browse and purchase items online, with the option for convenient in-store pickup at the Columbia location.

The Big Lots in Columbia offers several appealing features that contribute to its role as a vital discount store for South Carolina locals:

• Exceptional Value: The primary highlight is the ability to acquire a wide range of products, including brand-name items, at significantly lower prices due to their closeout and overstock buying strategy.
• Diverse Product Mix: Unlike specialized discount stores, Big Lots offers a broad assortment of categories, from furniture to groceries, making it a convenient one-stop shop for diverse household needs.
• Constantly Refreshing Inventory: The opportunistic buying model means new merchandise arrives regularly, creating a "treasure hunt" experience where shoppers can always discover something new and unexpected.
• Affordable Furniture Options: Big Lots is particularly noted for its budget-friendly furniture selection, offering accessible options for furnishing a home.
• Big Rewards Program: Their loyalty program provides tangible benefits to frequent shoppers, including special offers, advance notice of deals, and personalized discounts, enhancing overall savings.
• Adaptability and Resilience: Despite recent financial challenges in the retail sector, the Columbia store's plan to reopen with a new format indicates a commitment to adapting and continuing to serve the local community, which is a positive sign for customers.

Big Lots is well-known for its consistent promotions and loyalty program benefits, designed to provide ongoing savings to its customers. South Carolina locals can frequently take advantage of:

• Big Rewards Program: This is their cornerstone for promotions. Members receive:
  • Special Offers & Coupons: Exclusive discounts, percentage-off coupons, and dollar-amount savings sent via email or accessible through their new mobile app.
  • Advance Notice: Early access to information about new closeouts, buyouts, and upcoming sales events.
  • "Rewards Ready" Notifications: The new app specifically notifies users when new rewards or offers are available, ensuring they don't miss out on savings.
  • Personalized Dashboard: The app provides a personalized view of earnings and available rewards.
• Weekly Ads and Flyers: Big Lots regularly publishes weekly ads detailing current sales and featured closeout items across all departments.
• Seasonal Sales Events: Significant markdowns on seasonal merchandise (e.g., patio furniture in late summer, holiday decor after the season) to clear inventory.
• "Bonus" Buys: Specific items or categories might be offered at exceptional, limited-time prices.
• Furniture Financing Options: Big Lots often partners with financing companies to offer deferred payment plans on larger furniture purchases.
• Clearance Sections: Dedicated areas in the store feature items with even deeper discounts to move out remaining inventory.

For direct inquiries regarding products, store hours, current promotions, or to inquire about the planned reopening and new format, South Carolina residents can contact the Big Lots in Columbia using the following details:

Address: 9221 Two Notch Rd #30, Columbia, SC 29223, USA

Phone: (803) 865-1700

For South Carolinians, particularly those in the Columbia area, the Big Lots at 9221 Two Notch Road #30 remains a highly suitable and essential shopping destination, even amidst its evolving retail journey. Its strategic location on a major thoroughfare with ample parking ensures easy accessibility for residents across the city. The store's core appeal lies in its ability to consistently deliver incredible value on a vast and ever-changing array of products, from affordable furniture and home decor to groceries and seasonal items.

While the recent operational shifts and a specific customer's frustrating return experience highlight some challenges, the reported plan for this location to reopen with a "slightly different format" by mid-2025 signals a renewed commitment to serving the community. This adaptability means locals can continue to rely on Big Lots for their unique "treasure hunt" shopping experience and significant savings. The Big Rewards loyalty program further enhances its appeal, providing tangible benefits and exclusive offers for regular shoppers. For individuals and families in South Carolina seeking maximum value for their money on a broad spectrum of household necessities and exciting finds, Big Lots in Columbia continues to be a go-to discount store, embodying resilience and consistent affordability.