Ocean State Job Lot Celebrates Grand Opening of New Castle Store with Community Donations and Crazy Deals
OSJL marks third Delaware location and first in New Castle County
North Kingstown, RI – (March 7, 2026) – Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL) celebrated the grand opening of its newest store today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 26 Penn Mart Center, New Castle, DE. The 42,995 square-foot store, formerly home to Big Lots, marks OSJL’s third location in Delaware and its first in New Castle County, continuing the company’s strategic repurposing of well-known retail sites across the Mid-Atlantic.
OSJL executives and team members were joined by local officials and community partners for the celebration, including New Castle Mayor Valarie Leary and New Castle County Councilor George Smiley, who recognized the store’s opening and its positive economic impact on the community.
As part of OSJL’s ongoing commitment to giving back to the communities it serves, the Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation made several donations during the event, including 25 Operation Sleep Well kits, containing sheets, towels, toiletries, etc., to Friendship House; approximately 250 backpacks to the New Castle Boys & Girls Club; and one pallet of food to Rose Hill Community Center.
The grand opening celebration also featured family-friendly activities and opportunities for customers to connect with OSJL team members and local nonprofit partners. To drive excitement during opening week, OSJL is offering high-value incentives for savvy shoppers. Through Wednesday, March 11th, customers who sign up to be a Job Lot Insider and spend $30 or more will receive 40% of their purchase price back in Crazy Deal® Gift Cards to use on a future purchase.
Job Lot Insiders can also shop over 1,000 items available online at oceanstatejoblot.com, which allows them to get 100% back in Crazy Deal® Gift Cards, essentially making the products free. Job Lot Insiders have received over $400 million in Crazy Deal® Gift Cards to “Shop for Free” at OSJL stores and its website.
“We’re incredibly proud to open our doors to our wonderful New Castle community,” said Janet Halter, Store Team Leader, New Castle. “Our team has worked incredibly hard to bring this store to life, and we’re excited to showcase Job Lot’s exceptional value, friendly service, and meaningful local partnerships.”
The New Castle store has created new employment opportunities in the area, including supervisory, full-time, part-time, and seasonal positions. In 2025, OSJL opened two stores in Delaware: Dover and Seaford. OSJL expects to continue expanding across the Mid-Atlantic with additional store openings planned throughout 2026 and beyond.
Photo Caption: Photos courtesy of Ocean State Job Lot. Ocean State Job Lot New Castle Store Team Leader Janet Halter cut the ribbon during the grand opening celebration, joined by Ocean State Job Lot team members; New Castle Mayor Valarie Leary; New Castle County Councilor George Smiley; and representatives from Friendship House, New Castle Boys & Girls Club, and Rose Hill Community Center.
About Ocean State Job Lot:
Founded in 1977, Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL) is a growing, privately held discount retail chain with 175 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 $900 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 five-time “Best Employer” by Forbes® Magazine*, a five-time U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte, one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Parents & Families 2024 by Newsweek, a five-time winner of the Inspiring Workplaces in North America Award, and three-time 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: www.oceanstatejoblot.com.
