Ocean State Job Lot Celebrates Grand Opening of Auburn, ME Store
Ninth Store in Maine Opens in Former Big Lots
Auburn, ME – (June 14, 2025) – Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL), the region’s premier discount retail chain with 175 locations across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, celebrated the opening of its second store in Maryland, located at 730 Center Street in Auburn, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, June 14. The 43,000 sq. ft. space is formerly home to a Big Lots and will provide customers with a bright, friendly, and convenient shopping experience.
OSJL executives joined Auburn Mayor Jeff Harmon, State Senator Bruce Bickford, and other local officials for a celebration that highlighted the company’s continued investment in revitalizing well-known retail sites and expanding job opportunities in the region.
As part of OSJL’s ongoing commitment to the communities it serves, the Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation donated 250 backpacks to the Auburn-Lewiston YMCA.
In addition to the ribbon cutting, customers enjoyed free pictures with Bluey and complimentary glitter tattoos, donuts, and beverages. All event attendees also had the opportunity to win one of three $150 Ocean State Job Lot gift cards.
“We’re thrilled to expand our unique brand of shopping to the Auburn area,” said Trent Smith, Store Team Leader, Ocean State Job Lot. “We’ve worked hard to create a bright, friendly, and convenient shopping experience for residents and visitors alike, and we’re grateful to be part of this great community.”
This location has created new jobs for the area, including supervisory, full-time, part-time, and seasonal roles. OSJL expects to continue its expansion across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic with additional store openings throughout 2025.
Photo Captions (from left-to-right): Representatives from OSJL, including District Team Leader Merrill Reid and Store Team Leader Trent Smith; Auburn Mayor Jeff Harmon, State Senator Bruce Bickford, and Bambi Williams, director of the Y’s Early Childhood Development program and Tessa Tomasi, director of the Y’s after-school programs.
About Ocean State Job Lot:
Founded in 1977, Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL) is a growing, privately held discount retail chain with 176 stores in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, approximately 5,600 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 three-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.
