Ocean County getting its first Ocean State Job Lot store in this empty Big Lots spot
A popular discounter, Ocean State Job Lot will become the new anchor tenant at Bayshore Plaza, leasing the 29,797-square-foot storefront, according to Levin Management, the shopping center's leasing and managing agent.
In Monmouth County, Ocean State Job Lot has stores in Freehold Township and Holmdel.
Big Lots filed for bankruptcy protection last September and was ultimately sold to Gordon Brothers, the asset manager, which ran going-out-of-business sales. The company also has been transferring leases to other retailers interesting in opening stores, including Ocean State Job Lot and Ollie's Bargain Outlet.
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Ocean State Job Lot has acquired 15 Big Lots leases in eight states, including Barnegat, Cape May and Somers Point, according to a recent LinkedIn post by Bill Read, executive vice president of Retail Specialist, who cited court documents.
The company did not provide any specific information about the Barnegat store, but did say it was pursuing several Big Lots locations.
"We have expressed interest in several Big Lots locations," Ocean State Job Lot said in a statement. "If everything goes as we hope, we expect to open in various former Big Lots locations in the late spring/early summer timeframe. We will provide more information about our plans as soon as we are able."
Ocean State Job Lot sells name brand and close-out merchandise at discount prices. The changing variety of items include household goods, apparel, pet supplies, seasonal products, kitchen pantry staples and gourmet and specialty food items.
What's Going There? First Hobby Lobby coming to Ocean County, replacing this Christmas Tree Shops store
David P. Willis, an award-winning business writer, has covered business, retail, real estate and consumer news at the Asbury Park Press for 27 years. He writes APP.com's What's Going There column and can be reached at dwillis@gannettnj.com. Please sign up for his weekly newsletter and join his What's Going There page on Facebook for updates.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Ocean State Job Lot opening first Ocean County store in Barnegat
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