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After Big Lots filed for bankruptcy in September, North Carolina businessman Art Pope saw an opportunity to grow his bargain store empire. The company owned by Pope’s family – Variety Wholesalers – acquired roughly 200 of the retail locations.
But Pope’s company is far more than just cheap items and good deals; it’s arguably the fuel for North Carolina’s Republican Party. Pope is a major donor to the party and to a network of organizations that promote conservative ideas.
Madeleine Ahmadi talked with Pope to better understand his business plan and politics.
Having family that originates from Henderson, the birthplace of Roses, I can testify that the Pope family has poured into this very poor rural area by keeping the headquarters there when they purchased and providing jobs and security for the many employees who stay for decades. Also interesting that NOTHING in the podcast referenced any of Mr. Pope’s generosity and the many human service nonprofits he supports and his many gifts to University of North Carolina, which directly benefit all the students.