Dartmouth’s Big Value Outlet Closing For Good

DARTMOUTH — It's the end of an era, as Big Value Outlet — a store that has been a Dartmouth landmark and community fixture for decades — will be closing its doors for good.

Big Value President David Tatelbaum said in a release Monday that he and wife Jan will be retiring and the store closing permanently after all of the goods currently in stock are sold.

"All good things must come to an end and one of those things is Big Value in Dartmouth," he wrote.

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Tatelbaum's father opened the store as a Mars Bargainland in 1965, and it reopened as Big Value in 1990, he noted in the release.

The signature big blue store has sat at the plaza, called "Big Value Plaza" by residents, for 32 years — and Tatelbaum said many of his management team have been with them almost as long.

"We love our customers and employees, many of whom are like family," Tatelbaum — who is also the chairperson of the Dartmouth Select Board — wrote. "We are going to miss seeing all of you every day."

But he told WBSM News that both he and his wife Jan have more than 100 years in retail between them — "So we're ready," he laughed. "The time has come."

He said that store owners have already stopped purchasing more merchandise, and when everything in the store is sold, it will close its doors for good.

"So come on down to Big Value, buy the things you love and help us celebrate our retirement," Tatelbaum said.

He told WBSM News that with six grandchildren, his after-hours job as Select Board chair, and various other volunteering and group memberships — especially with YMCA Southcoast and Gifts to Give — "we'll find plenty to do."

“This was a difficult decision for us because Big Value has been part of the community," he added.

"Let us say thank you to all our customers and employees for all the wonderful years together."