Ocean State Job Lot Purchases Webster Square Shopping Center in Berlin, CT

BERLIN, CT & NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. –  Ocean State Job Lot, a leading closeout retail chain headquartered in Rhode Island with 111 stores throughout the Northeast U.S., announced it has purchased the Webster Square Shopping Center in Berlin, Connecticut for an undisclosed amount.

Job Lot has been a tenant of the Shopping Center since 2001 when it opened its Berlin store at 133 Webster Square Road. By early Summer 2014, the company will relocate its existing 22,466 sq. ft. store to a larger 46,229 sq. ft. site at 207 Webster Square Road, left vacant by the A&P Super Foodmart since October 2010. The new location is the anchor site for the plaza.

In anticipation of the expansion, Job Lot is planning to hire additional store personnel to help serve its customer base, including both full- and part-time employees for all positions.

“We are enthusiastic and optimistic about expanding our Berlin store to a footprint roughly twice the size of our current location,” states David Sarlitto, head of marketing for Ocean State Job Lot. “This gives shoppers twice as much to love about Job Lot, and affords us the opportunity to expand our base of store associates within the area. With this move, we now have the opportunity for increased closeout inventory, additional merchandise selection, and a wider assortment of brands which our customers will certainly appreciate.  We love Berlin – it has been a great place for us and we look forward to our new relationship with fellow tenants and Town leaders.”

As owner of the Shopping Center, Ocean State Job Lot is actively recruiting tenants for its soon-to-be available space.  It is also considering a number of physical improvements to its store interior as well as to the exterior façade of the 159,562 sq. ft. Center building and surrounding landscaping.  Current tenants of the Center include Harbor Freight Tools, Family Dollar, H&H Linen Service, and Wa-Wah Kitchen.

Berlin Mayor Rachel Rochette commented, “I am pleased that Ocean State Job Lot has purchased the Webster Square Shopping Center and that they plan to double the size of the store and to make other improvements to the Center. Since their store will be an anchor of the development, they will have a strong vested interest in the success of the property. We have been in communication with officials for Ocean State Job Lot and we understand that they are finalizing their plans for improvements. This is a very prominent property in the Town, so I look forward to continuing our dialogue with Ocean State Job Lot to help them revitalize this important retail shopping center.”

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