Ocean State Job Lot opens new store in Pottstown

Discount retail chain Ocean State Job Lot continues its expansion into Pennsylvania and has announced the opening of a new store in Pottstown.

The newest Ocean State job lot is planned for the Pottstown Plaza Shopping Center, 799 N. State Road, a 40,000-square-foot store on a site previously occupied by a grocery store.

Work to remodel the space has been underway for the past few weeks, the company said in an email response to questions. The work includes installing new flooring and lighting, painting the space and renovating bathrooms, offices and other areas as needed.

The store is scheduled to open in the fall before Thanksgiving, the company said in its response. The opening will create approximately 50 new jobs in the area, including full-time, part-time and seasonal positions.

“We are very excited to announce our newest store location in Pennsylvania,” said John Brown, Ocean State Job Lot district team leader, in the statement. “Since we opened our first store in the state just five years ago, we have become well-loved and trusted by Pennsylvania residents for a big, bright, friendly and affordable shopping experience. We can't wait to open our doors in Pottstown later this year.”

The Pottstown store will be the chain's 11th location in Pennsylvania and second in Montgomery County. Ocean State Job Lot opened in Montgomery Township in March 2020, occupying 37,415 square feet in the former Toys“R”Us, 980 Bethlehem Pike. When it opened, it was Ocean State Job Lot's third store in Pennsylvania.

In March 2023, Ocean State Job Lot opened a 4,500-square-foot store in Shillington Plaza in Cumru Township, Berks County.

The Cumru Township store occupies part of the space previously occupied by a Kmart that closed in 2019. The discount retailer purchased the Shillington Plaza Shopping Center in March 2022. A new tenant came to the center in February 2024 when Harbor Freight Tools opened a 15,000-square-foot store — the retailer's second location in Berks.

“Both Shillington and Montgomeryville are doing well. Pennsylvania is our newest state for Ocean State Job Lot stores and we continue to be well received and grow our loyalty program. We are excited about the opportunity to expand in this state,” the company said in its email.

Ocean State Job Lot is the newest tenant at Pottstown Plaza Shopping Center. Grocery Outlet and Goodwill recently opened, joining other tenants such as Tractor Supply, Domino's and Applebee's.

There are no other signed agreements for new Ocean State Job Lot locations in the area, although the company said it continues to seek additional opportunities.

Based in Rhode Island, Ocean State Job Lot sells top-quality, brand-name merchandise at clearance prices, including home goods, apparel, pet supplies, seasonal produce and grocery staples. Founded in 1977, the company has 153 stores in New England, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, employs approximately 5,600 people and has annual sales of over $800 million.