The discount retail chain was purchased out of bankruptcy, and the new owner is reopening more stores around the country starting on May 1.

Maxway and Bargain Town. The stores would continue operating under the Big Lots name. The deal may be a potential lifeline for the bankrupt retailer as it appeared headed for total liquidation.

A Big Lots store in Asheboro is among the initial nine locations being reopened Thursday by the chain's new owner, Variety Wholesalers Inc., which also owns the Maxway and Roses discount stores.

We have known that some Big Lots stores would remain. But now we know when the dozens of locations in North Carolina will ...