New Business Opening at Abandoned Vestal Big Lots Store

A retail space in Vestal that's been vacant for more than a year is about to come back to life.

Big Lots had operated a 28,000-square-foot store in a small plaza at the Four Corners on the Vestal Parkway until March 2025. The business had been a fixture at the location since 2002. Before that, the space was occupied by a Grand Union supermarket.

FLASHBACK: A glimpse inside the closed Big Lots store on June 24, 2026. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

The site now will become the temporary home to a Spirit Halloween store. Shelving and merchandise have been delivered to the site over the last several days.

The old "Big Lots" lettering on the front of the building has been removed and replaced with a "Spirit Halloween" banner. A larger sign may be installed in the coming days.

The bright orange letters that spelled out BIG LOTS at the closed Vestal store are being tossed out. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Dylan McMillen, the manager of the new store, told WNBF News the Vestal location will be opening soon. He said it could start operations as soon as Saturday.

Like most Spirit Halloween locations, the store will operate until early November.

Vestal Property LLC of Liverpool, which owns the plaza, is seeking a permanent tenant for the site after the Spirit store closes.

Displays were being assembled at the soon-to-open Spirit Halloween store on August 12, 2026. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Another Broome County Spirit Halloween store has already opened for the season. The pop-up shop at 420 Harry L. Drive in Johnson City is located in the space that previously was occupied by a Party City store.

More than 1,500 Spirit Halloween stores are expected to operate in the United States and Canada this season. About 75 of the locations will be in New York state.