Big Lots to replace Toys ‘R’ Us in Vienna
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VIENNA -- Big Lots will be taking over the former Toys "R" Us store location in Vienna next year, Grand Central Mall announced Wednesday.
Big Lots is expected to open sometime in 2019. A specific date or timeframe has not been released.
H&M will open today at Grand Central Mall, marking H&M's first West Virginia location. Ulta Beauty and Five Below recently replaced a former hhgregg location.
"We look forward to the openings of Big Lots and H&M, as they bring additional in-demand retail options to our guests," said Jody Hopkins, general manager of Grand Central Mall, in a press release Wednesday. "Our goal is to add diverse tenants while we continue to enhance the overall experience for our guests and further strengthen Grand Central Mall as the gathering place for the community. We believe the additions of Big Lots and H&M are further steps in that direction."
The Toys "R" Us building is 45,000 square feet and Big Lots will take the entire space, including the former China Buffet restaurant, which will now be part of the Big Lots' store space, Hopkins said.
Hopkins did not know if another local Big Lots store was closing and moving to the new location or if it will be a new operation. Big Lots stores are in south Parkersburg at the SouthGate Center shopping plaza and in Park Shopping Center.
Officials with Big Lots corporate offices in Westerville, Ohio, did not return messages Wednesday seeking comment on the new store and its relation to existing stores in the area.
The Marietta Big Lots store is moving from 13 Acme St. into the former Food 4 Less location at 110 S Seventh St. Store officials in Marietta said their goal is to be open on Nov. 8.
Toys "R"Us ceased all operations nationwide in June.
Over the past 24 months, Grand Central Mall has seen approximately 37,000 square feet of new or remodeled tenants open at the town center, mall officials said in the press release.
Grand Central Mall is anchored by a mix of retail, entertainment and dining options, including a remodeled and expanded Regal Cinemas; regional sporting goods store Dunham's Sports; national retailers Five Below, Old Navy and Party City; dining options Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse, Panera Bread and Ruby Tuesday; national department stores Belk and J.C. Penney; beauty salon retailers Ulta Beauty and Sephora inside J.C. Penney, and national and local specialty retailers and services, the press release said.
Mall officials recently announced the closing of the mall's Sears store before the end of the year.
Washington Prime Group, the parent company of Grand Central Mall, is in negotiations to transform the Sears space at Grand Central Mall, which Sears continues to operate until later this year, according to the press release.
''Washington Prime Group proactively negotiated an early termination of the lease to gain control of the real estate for future redevelopment efforts,'' the release said. ''The redevelopment opportunity at Grand Central Mall demonstrates the company's commitment to the community, while illustrating its mandate to diversify tenancy and further solidify Grand Central Mall as the dominant town center within the area.''