Maxway/Bargain Town

Maxway and Bargain Town are two established discount retail chains operated by Variety Wholesalers, Inc., a family-owned company with deep roots in the Southeast. The business traces its origins to 1949, when John Pope opened the first store in North Carolina. Over the decades, Variety Wholesalers expanded steadily, with a major milestone in the 1970s and 1980s when it acquired the Maxway and Bargain Town brands. This move broadened the company’s reach and helped it become a significant player in the regional discount retail landscape.

As of November 2025, Maxway and Bargain Town together operate more than 350 stores across 16 states, with a strong presence in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, and Tennessee. The stores are primarily located in rural and small-town communities, especially in areas where national discount retailers have limited presence. This focus on underserved markets has allowed the brands to build loyal customer bases and maintain consistent traffic in a competitive sector.

In the last five years, Variety Wholesalers has continued to open new Maxway and Bargain Town locations at a steady pace, typically adding 10 to 15 stores each year. The company seeks both freestanding sites and shopping center spaces, adapting its store formats to fit a range of retail environments. This flexibility, combined with a disciplined approach to site selection, has supported ongoing growth and kept the brands relevant as shopping patterns evolve.

Variety Wholesalers remains headquartered in Henderson, North Carolina, and is led by Art Pope as Chairman and CEO. The company employs about 7,000 people across its retail operations and distribution centers. Maxway and Bargain Town are recognized for their stability, long-term occupancy, and ability to anchor neighborhood centers or bring new life to vacant retail properties. Their consistent expansion and adaptability make them reliable tenants for property owners and developers looking to strengthen their retail portfolios, particularly in markets that are often overlooked by larger chains.