This beloved RI retailer is making a big push down south into former Big Lots locations

Big Lots’ loss is turning into Ocean State Job Lot’s gain.

Ocean State Job Lot, the Rhode Island-based retail chain, announced Wednesday that it is finalizing a deal to acquire 15 former Big Lots stores around the country.

The deal marks a multi-state expansion for the company, which started in North Kingstown in 1977.

Currently, it operates more than 150 stores in nine states. With the new acquisition, the company’s portfolio will expand into Maryland and Delaware.

In recent years, Ocean State Job Lot has scored big on other retailers shutting down, including taking over former Christmas Tree Shops and Toys “R” Us stores.

Which Big Lots did Ocean State Job Lot acquire?

Ocean State Job Lot acquired former Big Lots stores at the following locations, which it said are slated to open by mid-summer 2025:

• Dover, DE
• Seaford, DE
• Webster, MA
• Chester, MD
• Easton, MD
• Elkton, MD
• Auburn, ME
• Somers Point, NJ
• Barnegat, NJ
• Cape May, NJ
• Dansville, NY
• Liverpool, NY
• Harrisburg, PA
• Trexlertown, PA
• Morrisville, VT

Ocean State Job Lot continues growth with more new stores

In addition to the former Big Lots stores, Ocean State Job Lot is also planning on opening other new locations this year.

It builds on the company’s growth in 2024, when it opened seven new stores across the country, including at the sites of four former Christmas Tree Shops locations.

Each new store opening creates up to 70 job opportunities, the company said in a release. Here are the other locations that were previously announced to be opening this year:

• Hagerstown, MD
• North Attleborough, MA
• North Conway, NH

Melina Khan is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY Network – New England, which serves more than a dozen affiliated publications across New England. She can be reached at MKhan@gannett.com.