Tractor Supply Set to Replace Essex's Shuttered Big Lots, Mirroring Chittenden County's Evolving Retail Scene
The transition from general merchandise to a specialized retailer reflects a wider trend where successful brick and mortar stores serve a specific niche or lifestyle not easily replicated online.
The ever-evolving retail landscape of Chittenden County appears poised for another significant transformation, as strong indications suggest that Tractor Supply Company is set to move into the space formerly occupied by Big Lots on Pearl Street. While official confirmation remains pending, a groundswell of online reports and national business trends point toward the imminent arrival of the rural lifestyle retailer.
Social Media Buzz Points to New Tenant
The initial reports of the move originated from community discussion on social media. According to multiple threads on the r/vermont subreddit posted in late July 2025, local users have been discussing the transition as a certainty. One specific post, titled "Old Big Lots in Essex will be the future home of Tractor Supply," demonstrates the confidence of the online chatter, sparking conversation among residents about the impending change. The building at the center of this speculation, identified in these online discussions, is the former Big Lots store located at 60 Pearl Street in Essex Junction.
Official Records Remain Silent on Move
Despite the confident tone of the online reports, official sources have yet to confirm the move. As of this writing, a review of publicly available online databases from the City of Essex Junction, including zoning permits and property card records, did not yield a direct permit or property transaction explicitly naming Tractor Supply. To date, neither the property owner nor Tractor Supply's corporate media relations have issued a formal announcement regarding the Essex Junction location.
Local Rumors Align with National Strategy
The local speculation, however, aligns precisely with the company's publicly stated national expansion strategy. According to a report by the trade publication Total Retail, Tractor Supply is in the midst of an aggressive growth phase with plans to open as many as 90 new stores by the end of 2025. The publication’s report notes that a significant number of these new locations—at least 18—are slated for sites previously occupied by Big Lots stores, lending significant credibility to the rumors circulating in Chittenden County.
A Sign of Broader Retail Shifts in the County
This prospective move is the latest example of the churn within Chittenden County's retail sector. The potential transition from a general merchandise closeout model like Big Lots to a specialized retailer like Tractor Supply reflects a wider trend where successful brick-and-mortar stores are those that serve a specific niche or lifestyle not easily replicated online. While residents await an official announcement, the evidence strongly suggests that a significant change is coming to the commercial fabric of Essex Junction, marking another chapter in the continuing story of how retail in Vermont's most populous county adapts to new economic realities.