GRAFTON – After the grand opening of Blain’s Farm & Fleet, Grafton may see another big development nearby with the return of the Big Lots.
Big Lots, planned for the former Pick ‘n Save location at Wisconsin Avenue and Falls Road, would fill half of the vacant space and Harbor Freight Tools, announced in June, would fill the rest.
The building has been empty since 2009, when the grocery store moved south on Wisconsin Avenue. Various proposals have come and gone over the years.
Big Lots would occupy approximately 39,000 square feet of the total 56,000 square foot space, according to plans submitted to the Town.
The Ohio-based discount retailer operates more than 1,400 stores in 47 states and offers a variety of products in categories such as food, consumables, furniture/home décor, seasonal items, electronics and accessories, according to its website.
The operations plan states that the new Grafton location would be open from 9 am to 9 pm and would consist of four employee shifts each day, with a maximum of 10 employees per shift.
Grafton was home to a Big Lots in Twin City Plaza, but due to nationwide corporate restructuring, the store closed in late 2005.
While nothing has been confirmed, the town will hold a public hearing at Village Hall, 860 Badger Circle, at 6 pm on November 22 before the Grafton Plan Commission for community members to provide input on the proposed store.
If approved, construction would wrap up on June 9, 2023, with an anticipated opening date shortly after on August 26.