By 1812Blockhouse
Today we share a reminder that a national name in home décor is preparing to make its way into one of Richland County’s busiest retail corridors.
HomeGoods plans to open a new store later this year at Village Square, the shopping center along Lexington-Springmill Road in Ontario that already draws a steady flow of regional shoppers. The store is expected to occupy roughly 25,000 square feet in the former Big Lots space at 929 N. Lexington-Springmill Road, according to Goodman Real Estate Services Group and city officials. The projected opening is fall 2026.
A New Tenant For A Familiar Retail Center
Village Square is a 166,000-square-foot power center anchored by Hobby Lobby, Dunham’s Sports, and Ashley HomeStore. The addition of HomeGoods brings another national retailer into a corridor that has long served as one of the area’s primary shopping destinations.
City officials noted that the project reinforces Ontario’s role as a regional retail hub, with stores and restaurants along Lexington-Springmill Road attracting customers from across Richland County and surrounding communities. For local shoppers, the new store will also mean a shorter trip to HomeGoods. Existing locations in the broader region include stores in Lewis Center and Sandusky, but the Ontario site will bring the chain’s mix of discounted home décor, furniture, kitchenware, bedding, seasonal items, and specialty finds closer to home.
Why Ontario Fits The HomeGoods Model
HomeGoods is part of TJX Companies, the parent company behind several off-price retail brands. The company has continued to emphasize store growth, particularly in markets where its brands can benefit from established shopping traffic and strong co-tenancy. That strategy fits the Village Square location.
HomeGoods stores often appear in larger shopping centers or power centers, especially those already anchored by well-known national retailers. These settings allow the chain to capture shoppers who are already making multi-stop retail trips, whether for home goods, apparel, sporting goods, groceries, or other household needs.
Ontario’s Lexington-Springmill corridor offers that kind of retail density. The area includes national chains, restaurants, big-box stores, and service businesses, making it a regular destination for residents throughout the Mansfield region.
A Brick-And-Mortar Brand In A Digital Age
While many retailers have shifted more attention toward online shopping, TJX has remained strongly committed to the in-store experience. That is especially true for HomeGoods, where browsing is part of the draw. Customers often visit not for one specific item, but to see what is new, unusual, seasonal, or unexpectedly available at a discounted price. The model depends on discovery, variety, and the ability to take purchases home the same day. That approach has helped keep physical stores central to the company’s growth plans.
HomeGoods also benefits from flexible store layouts, allowing departments and displays to shift based on local demand and changing merchandise. That flexibility makes former big-box spaces, such as the former Big Lots unit at Village Square, useful opportunities for expansion.
Part Of A Larger Retail Pattern
The planned Ontario store also reflects a broader retail trend: the reuse of existing big-box spaces by national brands looking for proven locations rather than entirely new developments. For communities, those projects can keep shopping centers active and help prevent large vacancies from lingering. For retailers, they offer access to established parking, visibility, nearby tenants, and existing consumer habits. In Ontario, the move places HomeGoods in a center already familiar to shoppers and positioned within a corridor that continues to function as Richland County’s retail engine.
