Bargain Hunt closing all stores: full list of doomed locations, going-out-of-business sales amid bankruptcy

It’s been a rough few years for brick-and-mortar retailers. In 2024, numerous big-name companies shuttered or announced their intentions to shutter locations across the country, including Big Lots, Macy’s, CVS, LL Flooring, Walgreens, and Family Dollar.

Now a discount retail chain with nearly a hundred stores has announced that it will close all of its locations. That retailer is Bargain Hunt, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this month. Here’s what you need to know about its bankruptcy and store closings:

Why did Bargain Hunt file for bankruptcy?

Interestingly, Bargain Hunt has not revealed specific reasons for filing for bankruptcy. Normally, struggling retailers who have gone down the same route will cite falling foot traffic, reduced consumer spending, increased competition, or inflationary pressures as the drivers behind the reason to file for bankruptcy, but so far, Bargain Hunt has not specified its reasons.

However, a voluntary petition for bankruptcy that Bargain Hunt’s owner filed with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Tennessee on February 3 suggests the company is struggling.

In that filing, Bargain Hunt’s parent company, Essex Technology Group LLC, said it currently had between 1,000 and 5,000 creditors. It also revealed that it had between $50,000,001 and $100 million in estimated liabilities, yet its assets were only between $10,000,001 and $50 million.

This means that Bargain Hunt has more liabilities than assets and suggests that it may not have the means to pay all of its existing creditors.

Which Bargain Hunt locations are closing?

In a press release, Bargain Hunt announced that it will hold going-out-of-business sales at every remaining location. The company says it currently has 92 stores spread across 10 states. 

The state with the most Bargain Hunt stores is Tennessee, where the company is based. Other states with Bargain Hunt stores are Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, and South Carolina.

A full list of all closing locations can be found on the website of Hilco Global, the firm handling Bargain Hunt’s liquidation.

You can also use Bargain Hunt’s own online store locator tool to find your closest location.

Bargain Hunt says that shoppers will be able to get up to 40% discounts on items in its remaining inventory, including apparel and shoes, toys, lawn and garden supplies, automotive, pet, home decor, and more. However, buyers should be aware that all sales are final.

When are Bargain Hunt stores closing?

All Bargain Hunt stores are in the process of closing down now. The company has not given a precise date when its stores will close for good, but it has stated that they “are set to close by the end of February 2025.”

Will more retailers shut in 2025?

Major retailers like Macy’s and Big Lots have already announced store closures for 2025. But those aren’t likely to be the end of it. 

In January, a report from Coresight Research suggested that up to 15,000 retail stores could be shuttered in 2025. In addition to Big Lots and Macy’s, other retailers have already announced their intention to shutter locations, including Walgreens and Party City, the latter of which is going out of business entirely.

As for why so many retail locations may shut their doors in 2025, Coresight said a number of factors were involved, including inflation-weary customers pulling back on spending and increased competition from online retailers.

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