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Big Lots to celebrate new mall store

The new Big Lots store, at the former Toys R Us location near the Grand Central Mall, will be holding a grand opening celebration on July 26. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

VIENNA — The new Big Lots store in Vienna will have a grand opening celebration on July 26.

The store, at the former Toys R Us location near the Grand Central Mall, will reflect a new format, which is part of a broader initiative to reposition the brand as a community retailer, organizers said. The opening of the new store will also help raise money for Community Resources Inc.

“We are excited to introduce our new store format to Vienna,” said Steve Haffer, senior vice president chief customer officer of Big Lots. “It brings to life our new brand traits and showcases our product assortments of affordable solutions in Furniture, Seasonal, Home, Food, and Consumables.

”We are also very proud to serve alongside the Vienna community with our support of Community Resources Inc.”

Big Lots will donate $5 to the organization each time a BIG Rewards loyalty member redeems a reward at the Vienna store over a six-week period from July 26-Sept. 7.

Community Resources Inc. believes every family experiencing poverty deserves the resources to develop economic opportunities and jobs, financial independence, health and nutrition, bright futures for their children, and adequate housing opportunities, organizers said.

Community Resources Inc. Executive Director/CEO Lewis Newberry said they were approached by Big Lots a month ago about doing this contribution.

”We will be able to use this money in a variety of ways,” he said.

The organization does work with people to help lift them from poverty to self-sufficiency through programs that focus on employment, housing and food, Newberry said.

They rely on a lot of state and federal grants which come in cycles, he said. When they get private donations, they can expand the help they provide.

”We can do more for people in the community,” Newberry said. ”This support means a lot to us.”

One of those efforts will be gardening projects that can help supply fresh vegetables to local food pantries in the area.

Newberry hopes their partnership with Big Lots can expand beyond the initial six-week period to possibly do other things in the future.

A spokesperson from Big Lots said the new store is a relocation of the store at the Park Shopping Center. An official closing date for the Park Shopping Center location has not been announced.

This spokesperson said the new store could also have a soft opening in early July.

The new store will host a grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8:30 a.m. July 26. The first 50 shoppers entering the store on July 26 and July 27 will receive a reusable shopping bag filled with treats from Big Lots, organizers said.

The new store will be a showcase for the new store layout and design across all Big Lots stores, both in new builds as well as in redesigns at existing locations. The event will host local dignitaries, representatives from Community Resources Inc. and other community guests at the ribbon cutting.

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