Bob’s announces grand opening in New London

Bob’s Discount Furniture is holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a two-day grand opening celebration in New London later this month as it prepares for a move out of East Lyme.

The opening event is on Nov. 29 at its 389 N. Frontage Road location, the former site of Chuck E. Cheese — a longtime blighted area since the restaurant chain left. Developers razed the existing building to make way for the two-phase development, which includes a 30,000-square-foot mini self-storage structure still under construction.

The Bob’s opening marks the return of the furniture retailer that left a Colman Street location when it moved to Niantic in 2013. Bob’s will end its 13-year run at 15 Industrial Park Road in Niantic on the evening of Nov. 22, when the retail store closes and morphs into an outlet location that will stay open until Dec. 26.

Bob’s, in a news release, said the move allows for “a more easily accessible and convenient retail experience.” The New London store features a new layout, LED lighting and a “fresh look and feel.”

The Nov. 29 ribbon-cutting will take place at 8:15 a.m. and feature appearances by Bob’s executives.

The Bob’s Outreach Team also has announced a donation of $5,000 to New London High School and the nonprofit Safe Futures. Laurelle Texidor, director of New London High School Multi-Magnet Campus, and Melissa Zaitchik, director of development and communications at Safe Futures Inc., will be presented with the donations, of $2,500 each, at the grand opening event.

Free, family fun entertainment includes clowns and face painters from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Bob’s, based in Manchester, has 122 furniture stores across 18 states and has become the 11th largest U.S. furniture chain.