A RI based company that is expanding - Ocean State Job Lot

[Mark 24]

Originally Posted by massnative71

That's one store I miss!

I quite agree. Sam Walton's trip to Rhode Island back in the early 60's was obviously worth it. No other region in the country would have the number of discount stores New England would have. Walmart had the market to themselves in the rest of the country. Even when they came to New England the owner's of Ann and Hope refused to do something as basic as match the hours. Many remained loyal to A & H, but they refused to meet the challenge. A lot had to do with the age of the owners and their children not being involved with the company. They did not build a good management team, similar to Benny's.

[YorktownGal]

Originally Posted by mp775

The Job Lot in Norwood is still a jumbled mess.

Yeah, but I moved to NY a decade ago and I still miss the Norwood Job Lot.

[Mark 24]

Originally Posted by QuilterChick

Ocean State Job Lot is now like a 'conglomerate' ... they must have, what, 30 stores now in the east. I don't think they go further south than NJ though. Always found something we didn't 'need' there along with things we did need.

add 100 more stores to that number and they are now starting to compete with Ollie's in the mid Atlantic states.

[QuilterChick]

Originally Posted by Mark 24

add 100 more stores to that number and they are now starting to compete with Ollie's in the mid Atlantic states.

We have several dollar stores over here in the mountains; but not "Ollie's. Plenty of "Big Lots" which is very similar to Job Lot but not one every mile or so. They have about everything you could want, reminds me of Job Lot, except they are very clean. I remember OSJ having piles of 'stuff' and narrow isles. Always fun to check it out for bargains.