Opening in March 1989, Bigg’s Hypermarket was a 240,000‑square-foot retail giant anchoring Thornton Town Center at 104th Avenue and I‑25—the only Colorado location of the Midwest-based chain. Modeled after European hypermarkets, Bigg’s offered everything from groceries and electronics to lumber, clothing, and toys under one roof. It was a bold concept for its time, long before Super Targets and Super Walmarts became the norm. With wide aisles, bulk products, and entire departments for items like home goods, bikes, and seasonal decorations, Bigg’s was a shopping destination that aimed to serve every possible need in one trip.
Over the years, the store downsized to about 200,000 sq ft, adapting to a changing retail landscape. In February 2004, after more than a decade in business, the store quietly closed its doors. Within months, the building was demolished and replaced by a newly built Walmart Supercenter, marking the transition to more mainstream big-box retail in the area.
Following Bigg’s closure, Thornton Town Center tried to reinvent itself. One notable tenant was the country-western bar Cactus Moon, which locals fondly remember for its dance floor, neon signage, and honky-tonk vibe. It became a popular nightlife destination during the early 2000s before eventually closing its doors as well. Today, the original Bigg’s site is home to a Home Depot—part of the area’s evolving mix of national chains and local businesses.
Bigg’s may have been ahead of its time, but in a market that eventually shifted toward familiar superstore giants, its single Colorado store stands as a nostalgic reminder of an ambitious retail experiment—and a glimpse into Thornton’s pre‑SuperTarget/SuperWalmart era.
