Big Lots store will take space vacated by Publix

That Publix closed last November after 32 years at the location because a new and larger store opened down the road at Thomasson Drive and U.S. 41 East.

Big Lots was scheduled to open next month, but the date has been pushed back to February at the earliest, said Blanca Lopez, district manager for western and Central Florida.

The store will be the first Big Lots in Naples and will include a furniture department. The nearest store is in San Carlos Park.

Lopez said the company has been pleased with the strong business of the four Big Lots stores in the Fort Myers area.

"We kept opening them and they don't hurt each other," she said.

For three days in October, when the Naples store was to open in December, Lopez collected more than 125 applications.

She said those candidates will be called before any other applicants in the new year when the store's opening date is set. The store will be hiring 35 to 40 permanent associates, plus a store manager and two assistant managers.

Big Lots offers an assortment of merchandise -- including food, seasonal products, furniture, housewares, toys and gifts -- priced 20 percent to 40 percent below traditional discount retailers.

"When you see it, you're best to buy it because we don't know if we will get it in again," said Pat Zeigler, spokeswoman for the company, which is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.

She said Big Lots works with about 4,000 vendors, and store items constantly change. Last week's ad featured Hoover, Bissell, Barbie, Hot Wheels and Nestle candy products.

Big Lots collects merchandise from other stores, many that have gone out of business, as well as from manufacturers when a product is discontinued, changes packaging or is overshipped, Lopez said.

Big Lots Inc.'s Web site claims it is the nation's largest closeout retailer with annual revenues exceeding $3.8 billion. Stores range in size from 20,000 to 60,000 square feet, with annual per-store sales averaging $2.85 million.

There are 109 Big Lots stores in Florida, and nearly 1,400 nationwide.