BIDDEFORD —Ocean State Job Lot, a leading discount closeout retailer headquartered in Rhode Island with stores throughout New England, New Jersey, and New York, celebrated the grand opening of its 131st store at 510 Alfred St. in Biddeford.

This 40,000-square-foot location, a former Shaw’s, is Ocean State Job Lot’s seventh location in the state. The store’s arrival brings 50 new jobs and restores vibrancy to this previously vacant retail location.

During its grand opening celebration held on March 24, Ocean State Job Lot executives and Biddeford Store Manager Jason Roes presented a $500 check to the Biddeford Food Pantry, the Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation’s “Close to Our Heart” recipient.

The Biddeford Food Pantry works to end the fight against hunger in Biddeford by providing monthly grocery donations to local residents in need.  OSJL also donated a pallet of non-perishable food valued at $1,000 for immediate use at the pantry, in addition to earmarking future monthly donations.

“We could not be more appreciative to the city of Biddeford, Mayor Alan Casavant, and the Biddeford Food Pantry for their enthusiastic support during the opening of our seventh Maine location,” said David Sarlitto, Executive Director, Ocean State Job Lot. “We strive to connect to the local communities in which we operate, and we look forward to a long partnership with the city of Biddeford.”

In addition to its Close To Our Heart donation, Ocean State Job Lot donated $1,000 in gift cards following the conclusion of its ‘Discount Dash for Charity,’ which featured local media and community members competing in a timed scavenger hunt for select Ocean State Job Lot products.

Blogger Heather Goddu of the Portland Kids Calendar took first place, collecting a $500 gift card for the Center for Grieving Children in Portland; Firefighter Ben Capotosto won a $250 gift card for Biddeford Fire Department, and Ryan Gavin of WJBQ 97.9 radio won a $250 gift card for the Animal Welfare Center in Kennebunk.

“We are so pleased to be debut this bright and airy Job Lot store to the Biddeford community,” said Jason Roes, Biddeford store manager. “Consumers will find well-lit and with wide aisles neatly stocked with an ever-changing array of quality merchandise offered at a fraction of the cost found elsewhere.  The store is designed to make value shopping an easy and enjoyable experience.”

Customers who attended the grand opening also had the opportunity to enter into a raffle for an additional $200 Ocean State Job Lot gift card. 

Store hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. 

For more information, call 860-295-4681.

Biddeford Food Pantry Check Presentation (from left to right): 
Don Bisson, Director, Biddeford Food Pantry; Paul Cox, Director of Store Operations, Ocean State Job Lot, David Sarlitto, Executive Director, Ocean State Job Lot.

Discount Dash: Ben Capotosto of the Biddeford Fire Department searches for good during Ocean State Job Lot’s Grand Opening Discount Dash, which awards $1,000 in gift cards to support local charities.

About Ocean State Job Lot

Now in its 40th year, Ocean State Job Lot is a growing, privately-held discount retail chain with 131 stores in New England, New York, and New Jersey, approximately 5,000 employees, and annual sales exceeding $650 million. Job Lot sells brand name, first quality merchandise at closeout prices. Shoppers find an ever-changing array of household goods, apparel, pet supplies, seasonal products (holiday, gardening, patio, pool and beach supply), and kitchen pantry staples at a fraction of their typical price. The company was named by Forbes Magazine as a 2017 “Best Midsize Employer.” The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation has a long history of philanthropic leadership, placing emphasis on local food banks in communities where Job Lot operates stores. The Foundation also supports medical and literacy initiatives, disaster relief efforts, the performing arts, military service members and their families, and special needs and foster children. Ocean State Job Lot is headquartered at 375 Commerce Park Road in the Quonset Point Business Park, North Kingstown, RI 02852.  Phone: (401) 295-2672; Web: oceanstatejoblot.com.

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