COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Big Lots is commencing a mass layoff of 555 Franklin County workers after a deal collapsed that would've pulled the company out of bankruptcy. The retailer announced in a city notice that employees based at the company's northeast Columbus headquarters at 4900 E. Dublin Granville Rd. will be terminated. The letter says the "mass layoffs" are expected to begin the week of Dec. 28 and will conclude by April of next year. Big Lots' notice followed a Thursday announcement that it will begin "going out of business" sales at all of its remaining locations -- totaling 963 as of Thursday -- after failing to complete a previously announced $765 million sale to Nexus Capital Management, a private equity firm. More than 400 stores nationwide have closed this year, marking a 30% reduction in its footprint. Columbus invests in new eviction prevention programs In an email to employees shared with NBC4's parent company Nexstar, CEO Bruce Thorn said that the pending store closures could "be reversed if we successfully complete a sale." Big Lots is continuing its "efforts to secure an alternative deal with Nexus or another party that would enable us to preserve a significant part of our business going forward." "I recognize this is difficult news for all of us. You should be proud of the grit and resiliency you've demonstrated through what I know has been a challenging time," Thorn wrote. The company began auctioning off the leases of 170 locations that already closed earlier this month in preparation for Nexus' acquisition. Several Ohio stores were included in the lease auction, including those in Blue Ash, Cincinnati, Grandview Heights, Highland Heights, Mount Vernon, North Olmstead and Westerville. Dublin raises pool and recreation center fees, removes school district discount Ollie's Bargain Outlet is converting 17 former Big Lots into new Ollie's stores after taking part in a previous lease auction. Other buyers have included Burlington, which purchased 15 former Big Lots; Aldi, which acquired a Louisiana store; and Dick's Sporting Goods, which bought a New Jersey store. Big Lots filed for Chapter 11 proceedings in September. At the time, the chain also entered into the sale agreement with Nexus, which was set to acquire all of the company's assets and business operations. The retailer reported a $238 million loss during its second quarter this year and announced it was closing its distribution center in west Columbus by the end of October, leaving nearly 400 without jobs. The company also filed a notice to the city then that did not provide a reason for closing the center at 300 Phillipi Road.