Rochester, New York's Neisner Brothers, Incorporated also spun off their version of discount mart in 1962. The first Big N unit was dedicated, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on October 17, 1962. Stores encompassed between 62,000 and 68,000 square feet and featured sixty-seven departments, including a Big N Restaurant.
The number of Big N stores grew steadily through the 1960s. By 1965, eleven units were in operation. The store count had risen to thirty-five in 1970. By 1974, there were thirty-eight Big N stores; these in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania,
The shrinking economy and runaway inflation of the 1970s caused Big N stores to become unprofitable. The foundering enterprise was purchased by Connecticut-based Ames in January 1979. Various stores were shuttered, with others being co-branded as Ames-BigN. The BigN brand was dropped in 1980.
The shrinking economy and runaway inflation of the 1970s caused Big N stores to become unprofitable. The foundering enterprise was purchased by Connecticut-based Ames in January 1979. Various stores were shuttered, with others being co-branded as Ames-BigN. The BigN brand was dropped in 1980.
