Ocean State Job Lot Celebrates Grand Opening of Chester, MD Store
OSJL revitalizes former Big Lots site as part of multi-state expansion
North Kingstown, RI – (July 12, 2025) – Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL), the region’s premier discount retail chain with 178 stores across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, celebrated the grand opening of its fourth Maryland store today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 24 Kent Towne Market in Chester.
The 30,737 sq. ft. location is one of 17 former Big Lots properties OSJL has acquired and revitalized this year as part of its continued expansion across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Since April, the Company has celebrated the openings of three other former Big Lots stores in Maryland: Hagerstown, Easton, and Elkton.
The celebration featured remarks from OSJL Store Team Leader Karen Clement, and OSJL Regional Director James Hines. The company was also joined by Queen Anne’s County Commissioner Christopher M. Corchiarino and Queen Anne’s County Economic and Tourism Development Director Heather Tinelli.
“We’re thrilled to officially open and provide our value-based shopping in Chester,” said Karen Clement, Store Team Leader, Ocean State Job Lot in Chester, MD. “This store represents a long-term commitment to being a good neighbor in Queen Anne’s County, and we are grateful to the community and to County leadership for such a warm welcome.”
Following the ribbon cutting, guests enjoyed a variety of free activities including glitter tattoos, pictures with Bluey, donuts, juice boxes, and coffee, as well as a live radio broadcast by a local radio station. Attendees also had the opportunity to enter a raffle to win one of three $150 Ocean State Job Lot shopping sprees.
As part of its “Close to Our Heart” charitable initiative, the Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation donated 250 backpacks to the Queen Anne’s County Family YMCA in Centerville.
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.
