After 20 years of providing discount shoppers with a treasure trove of bargains, Bargains in a Box is closing its doors for good. The retailer, known for selling everything from toothpaste to electronics out of large cardboard bins, will be shutting down its last store this Sunday.
The decision to close Bargains in a Box comes from the family-owned parent company, The Bazaar Inc., which plans to focus on its wholesale overstock business. CEO Bradley Nardick, the grandson of founder Norman Nardick, expressed gratitude for the community support over the years but acknowledged the need to evolve.
The closure follows clearance sales and closures at other locations, with the River Grove outlet being the final store to shutter. The Bazaar will continue to buy and sell overstock goods to other retailers worldwide, shifting its focus away from independent retail operations.
Nardick cited various challenges in recent years, including higher rents, stiff competition, and the impact of the global pandemic. Despite the thriving discount environment, Bargains in a Box struggled to compete with larger retailers with greater brand recognition.
Since the 1990s, Bargains in a Box has been a favorite among shoppers for its unique shopping experience of digging through bins for hidden treasures. Customers have raved about the eclectic finds and quirky atmosphere of the store, with one Yelp reviewer even posting a poem in praise of the retailer.
The Bazaar’s journey began with a small warehouse and grew into a 400,000-square-foot facility in River Grove, where it established partnerships with major brands. The decision to open Bargains in a Box stores was a successful venture for a time, but changing market dynamics led to the eventual closure of the retail locations.
As the final store prepares to close, Nardick reflects on the fond memories of working at Bargains in a Box and the excitement of Christmas sales under huge tents in the parking lot. While the closure marks the end of an era for Bargains in a Box, Nardick remains grateful for the lessons learned in retail and the support of the community over the years.