Published November 10, 2010

Bloomberg reports, via the Worcester Telegram & Gazette:

BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc. plans to run an auction to sell itself after receiving an offer from private-equity firm Leonard Green & Partners LP in recent months, said three people with knowledge of the situation.

BJ’s is a Natick company with locations mostly in the Northeast. As of early afternoon, BJ’s stock is up almost 11 percent.

WBUR’s Curt Nickisch is following.

3:26 p.m. update: Another New England institution, the Necco candy company, may also be exploring a sale, the Globe reports.