Ocean State Job Lot plots expansion with four more former Big Lots locations
Regional discount chain Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL) is expanding its footprint.
The East Coast retailer has signed leases for four new store locations expected to open in 2026. The new stores, located in Middletown, N.Y.; Glassboro, N.J.; Phoenixville, Pa.; and Prince Frederick, Md., are targeted to open in the third or fourth quarter of 2026.
All four new stores will occupy spaces formerly home to Big Lots, continuing OSJL’s repurposing of former retail sites. With these additions, OSJL will have opened a total of 24 former Big Lots locations. The four sites also share a common landlord, Brixmor, with whom OSJL currently has four existing stores.
“These new locations are a big win for us and for shoppers in these neighborhoods,” said Mark O’Connor, director of real estate, OSJL. “We know customers want to make their dollars go further while still getting the brands they trust, and that’s what Ocean State Job Lot is all about. We can’t wait to open the doors of these former Big Lots stores and show new shoppers the unbeatable mix of value and variety we’re known for.”
The planned new locations include:
- Middletown, N.Y.: Located in Wallkill Plaza, the 46,800-sq.-ft. store will be one of OSJL’s largest stores in New York. The site will be OSJL’s 18th store in New York.
- Glassboro, N.J.: Located in Collegetown Shopping Center, the 40,000-sq.-ft. store will be OSJL’s 12th in New Jersey.
- Phoenixville, Pa.: Located in the Shoppes at Valley Forge, the 29,525-sq.-ft. store will be OSJL’s 14th store in Pennsylvania and its first location in Chester County.
- Prince Frederick, Md.: Located in Fox Run Shopping Center, the 38,322-sq.-ft. store will be one of OSJL’s southernmost stores. This will be its sixth location in Maryland.
OSJL expects to hire for up to 70 positions per store, including store leadership, supervisory, full-time, part-time and seasonal associate roles.
[READ MORE: Ocean State Job Lot names new marketing chief]
Founded in 1977, OSJL operates 175 stores in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware. At OSJL stores, shoppers find a rotating collection of brand-name merchandise at closeout prices, including household goods, apparel, pet supplies, seasonal products and kitchen pantry staples.
