Published in the May 12, 2016 edition
IT’S COMING. This sign on Winter St. across from St. Theresa Church proclaims the arrival of Ocean State Job Lot. (Bob Turosz Photo)
NORTH READING — Ocean State Job Lot, a leading closeout retailer headquartered in Rhode Island with stores throughout New England, New Jersey and New York, announces the grand opening of its 122nd store at 97 Main St. (Route 28), North Reading. This 29,200 sq. ft. location, a former Stop & Shop, is Ocean State Job Lot’s 50th in Massachusetts. The store’s arrival brings 55 new jobs and restores vibrancy to this retail location, the corporation said.
A daylong Grand Opening Celebration is planned for Saturday, May 21, starting at 8 a.m. when the doors open to the public. Festivities continue throughout the morning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. officiated by members of the North Reading Board of Selectmen and other state and town officials, along with Ocean State Job Lot executives and North Reading Store Manager Peter Ghilardi.
During the event, Ocean State Job Lot will give away a variety of food samples from its brand name vendors and a chance to win a $200 shopping spree. Numerous community organizations and businesses will be at the store to display their information, offer prize drawings and participate in the morning festivities, which include a radio station remote, various arts performances and demonstrations.
“We are pleased to be debuting this bright and airy new Job Lot store in North Reading,” says David Sarlitto, executive director of Ocean State Job Lot. “Consumers will find well–lit, wide aisles neatly stocked with an ever–changing array of quality merchandise that we offer at a fraction of the cost found elsewhere. The store is designed to make shopping for values an easy and enjoyable experience.”
Store Manager Peter Ghilardi, who has been with the company for over a decade, said people in North Reading have been overwhelmingly positive about the new Job Lot opening and town officials have been cordial and welcoming. “Employees and customers alike are very excited about the new store,” states Mr. Ghilardi. “We are grateful to the community, including the high school and Middlesex Community College, for assisting us in promoting our new store and leading us to find employees at all experience levels,” he adds.
In conjunction with Job Lot’s community-first approach to business, the company’s Charitable Foundation will make a donation of nutritious, shelf–stable food to the Greater Boston Food Bank, courtesy of the Foundation’s “Three Square Meals” family meal assistance program, that will be distributed to affiliated food-based organizations within North Reading. Additionally, a special “Close to the Heart” donation will be made to the North Reading Community Impact Team in support of the town’s drug education program.
“Job Lot is deeply committed to demonstrating philanthropic leadership in the communities it serves and we want to expand that legacy in this area. We are delighted to join forces with the Greater Boston Food Bank and local food pantries to help more individuals and families who are experiencing food insecurity due to financial or other difficulties. This is in addition to holiday toy donations, programs for military service personnel and numerous other causes we support through the Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation,” adds Mr. Sarlitto.
Store hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Store phone: 978–664–1202.
