Ocean State Job Lot Celebrates Grand Opening of Auburn, MA Store
55th Massachusetts location opens in former Big Lots location
North Kingstown, RI – (July 9, 2025) – Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL), the region’s premier discount retail chain with 177 locations across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, celebrated the opening of its newest store in Massachusetts today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 416 Southbridge Street in Auburn, MA. The 43,000 sq. foot space, formerly home to Big Lots, marks OSJL’s 55th store in the Commonwealth and its tenth in Worcester County.
OSJL executives joined Auburn officials including Interim Town Manager Dori Vecchio, Town Clerk Ginger Buteau, and Economic Development Coordinator Brooke Hultgren, for a celebration that highlighted the company’s continued investment in revitalizing well-known retail sites and expanding job opportunities in the region. In May, OSJL opened a new store in Webster, MA – also formerly a Big Lots location.
Pictured left to right: Curtis Corl, Chief Marketing Officer, Ocean State Job Lot; Brenda Jenkins, Community Relations Coordinator, Central Community Branch YMCA; Annette Crowley, District Team Leader, Ocean State Job Lot.
As part of OSJL’s ongoing commitment to the communities it serves, the Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation donated 250 backpacks to the Central Community Branch YMCA in Worcester, MA.
The grand opening festivities will continue on Saturday, July 12th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with free photos with Bluey, complimentary beverages and donuts, and free glitter tattoos for customers. All event attendees will also have the opportunity to win one of three $150 Ocean State Job Lot gift cards.
“We’re thrilled to officially open our doors in the Auburn community,” said Alison Altomonte, Store Team Leader, Ocean State Job Lot. “The town and customers have been so welcoming and we’re excited to provide an innovative, convenient, and friendly shopping experience for new and loyal customers alike.”
OSJL is on track to open approximately 22 new stores in New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware throughout 2025.
About Ocean State Job Lot:
Founded in 1977, Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL) is a growing, privately held discount retail chain with 178 stores in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, nearly 7,000 employees, and annual sales exceeding $850 million. OSJL Shoppers find an ever-changing array of brand name, first-quality merchandise at closeout prices, including household goods, apparel, pet supplies, seasonal products (holiday, gardening, patio, pool, and beach supplies), and kitchen pantry staples at a fraction of their typical price. The company was named a four-time “Best Employer” by Forbes® Magazine*, a five-time US Best Managed Company by Deloitte, one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Parents & Families 2024 by Newsweek, a four-time winner of the Inspiring Workplaces in North America Award, and a Global Top 100 Inspiring Workplaces winner. *Ocean State Job Lot is not affiliated with Forbes®.
The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation has a long history of philanthropic leadership, supporting numerous causes, including feeding the hungry, helping the homeless, assisting veterans and military families, aiding animal rescue, caring for children, advancing healthcare, supporting the arts, and promoting learning. The Foundation’s operational, administrative, and overhead expenses are covered by Ocean State Job Lot, not the Foundation, ensuring that 100% of every dollar raised through the Foundation goes directly to helping those in need. Ocean State Job Lot is headquartered in Quonset Point Business Park at 375 Commerce Park Road, North Kingstown, RI 02852. Phone: (401) 295-2672; Website: OceanStateJobLot.com.
