Hawkins Inc. to build in Rosemount 5A Two ways to create jobs in Minnesota 5A Mesaba to close Eagan headquarters 24A
TAD JOHNSON T.W. BUDIG TAD JOHNSON
dakotacountytribune.biz dakotacountytribune.biz
DATE ##, 2009 OCTOBER 27, 2011
VOLUME 30, NUMBER # VOLUME 32, NUMBER 35
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DANE SMITH
Big Lots in Eagan is company’s third store to open in Minnesota this year by Jessica Harper The nation’s largest closeout retailer recently chose Eagan as part of its latest expansion Big Lots opened a store Oct. 20 at 1284 Town Centre Drive in Eagan. T h e 20,000-squarefoot store is the third to open in Minnesota this year, and among 52 new stores nationwide. The company — which operates 1,440 Big Lots stores nationwide and 88 Liquidation World stores in Canada — plans to open 38 more stores by Nov. 14, Big
In Brief
Lots spokeswoman Toni Fink said. Big Lots assistant manager D’Arcie Froelich said she believes Big Lots will complement other
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INSIDE BIZ
Discount retailer’s ‘Big’ expansion DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
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Minnesota is working hard with business leaders to close the achievement gap between white and minority students. 4A
FORUM
has.� By its very nature, once a discontinued item is gone, it’s gone for good. The closeout retailer has few direct competitors and FroBig Lots is located at 1284 Town Centre elich said she Drive in Eagan. A grand opening is set believes Big for 9 a.m. Oct. 28. The company hired 30 Lots will face employees to work at the Eagan location. little competiBig Lots has 1,440 stores nationwide and tion in Eagan. 88 Liquidation World stores in Canada. “We’re not Town Centre businesses by offer- here to compete,� ing items that have been discon- she said. “We are tinued. here to be a part of “People like to come in the the Eagan economy.� store because it’s like a treasure Big Lots differs hunt,� Froelich said. “They can from other discount find things here that no one else retailers in that it
sells nearly every kind of closeout, discontinued and overstock merchandise including clothing, home decor, furniture, electronics and nonperishable food. Though this business model works well for Big Lots and its consumers, it can present many challenges for manufacturers, said Lorman Lundsten, marketing professor and department chair at the University of St. Thomas. “It hurts manufacturers See Big Lots, Page 24A
Minnesota education community is intertwined with initial success of Apple Computers and Steve Jobs. JOE 4A NATHAN NEWS
Transportation advocates say the state of Minnesota can spur job creation by starting road projects. MARGARET 5A DONAHOE NEWS
Former governor and Eagan resident to serve on board of directors for company that aims to make medical TIM breakthroughs. PAWLENTY 5A
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Photo by Rick Orndorf Photo by Rick Orndorf
Experts predict discount retailers will continue to thrive as consumers hunt for bargains during the recession. +&//: 800%4 "/ 45"$&: "$,&3. "/%3&8 .*--&3
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The company — which operates 1,440 Big Lots stores nationwide and 88 Liquidation World stores in Canada — plans to open 38 more stores by Nov. 14, Big Lots spokeswoman Toni Fink said.
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