Ocean State Job Lot

Ocean State Job Lot is an independent discount retailer specializing in closeout and overstock merchandise, with a strong and growing presence throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. The company was founded in 1977 by Marc Perlman, Alan Perlman, and Roy Dubs, who opened the first store in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. What began as a single small-format location quickly gained traction among shoppers looking for brand-name goods at deep discounts, setting the stage for steady regional expansion.

As of November 2025, Ocean State Job Lot operates 176 stores across 11 states, including recent entries into New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The company has focused its growth on backfilling vacant big-box retail spaces and expanding into new suburban and secondary markets, particularly in high-traffic shopping centers. This approach has enabled the brand to maintain flexibility in store formats while supporting the revitalization of retail corridors that have seen anchor vacancies.

Over the past five years, Ocean State Job Lot has accelerated its expansion, moving beyond its core New England base and entering priority growth markets such as New York, Connecticut, and the broader Mid-Atlantic. The company’s footprint now spans Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware. Its stores offer a constantly changing assortment of household goods, apparel, seasonal products, pantry staples, and more, sourced through opportunistic bulk purchasing.

Headquartered in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, Ocean State Job Lot employs nearly 7,000 people and has earned recognition for its workplace culture from organizations like Forbes, Deloitte, and Newsweek. The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation is a major philanthropic force in the communities the company serves, supporting hunger relief, disaster response, and local initiatives.

Still privately owned with Marc Perlman as CEO and principal owner, Ocean State Job Lot’s ongoing expansion and operational adaptability have established it as a reliable anchor for landlords and brokers seeking to reposition or stabilize shopping centers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. The company’s track record, scale, and reputation for filling large-format vacancies make it a notable player in today’s evolving retail landscape.