Big Lots of Bradford - Part 2

With the old location now closed, I recently decided to take a look around their new relocated store. As mentioned in the previous post, the store size nearly doubled from 30,000 sq. ft. to around 58,000. This size difference can be noticed as the store is a lot less crowded.

Overall this Big Lots location left me much more satisfied then its neighbor store in Olean. While I understand that Olean is smaller at around 33,000 sq. ft., it still bothers me that Olean dropped some of the departments they carried before it remodeled. If I'm looking to go shopping at Big Lots, I'd much rather come over to this location.

Big Lots of Bradford - Part 1

Big Lots is on a relocating or remodeling store spree of late trying to turn their stores into a modern shopping experience. The company is making a smart move business wise by doing this, but as a retail fanatic its kind of disappointing because a lot of relics of stores past will be removed or hidden away. 

Bradford's Big Lots is no exception to this update. But unlike other instances, Big Lots opted to simply relocate last year the 30,000 sq. ft. store in a former Woolworths to a new store at around 58,000 sq. ft. in the former Kmart. In fact, I had enough time to know in advance they were planning to move to snap pictures of the now old location. Part 1 of this two part series will highlight the old location.

Evidence of this being a Woolworth still exists to this day. This area here would of been the restaurant.

Now we head indoors.

Another thing I enjoyed about this particular location is the old mall connection

I can't really come back to this spot you know.

I conclude this post with both a look at the construction of the new store and a look at this space now empty.

The 'Tops'y Turvy Decor

Perhaps the rarest Tops decor nowadays is the package that I like to call 'Topsy Turvy.' And while that is not it's official name, it is definitely no longer used in any new stores. The reason I call it that is because there are some very unique and awesome decor choices. There's giant cereal boxes, banners, giant letters, and of course the all important Top shaped aisle sign.

This Tops location, which was Tops' first store out of New York state (also Tops' first Pennsylvania location), features this decor which is indeed kind of funky. This Tops was also built when Tops was still a part of Ahold, so evidently Ahold did have a Tops-specific decor package.

Night time shot.

While foods may be fresh here at this store, some Tops locations lack this signage, so does that mean foods at those stores aren't fresh? I don't exactly understand the point of signs like this. Since this is a supermarket, your foods better be fresh!

Always happy to see some local pride in a store.

Customer Services sits in between two entrances/exits to or from the entryway vestibule. Many Tops stores typically just use one.

The left side of the store is the cafe (out of frame to the left, picture below) followed by the deli and speciality foods (such as cheese). Floral occupies the back left corner. Produce and natural foods take the majority of the space.

Natural foods.

Seafood

Meats

Look at those giant cereal boxes!

Frozen Foods, Dairy, Bread and other baked goods occupy the right side of the stores.

Candy is the only other thing located in the right corner of the stores before the checkout lanes start.