Ocean State Job Lot finds safe harbor inside old Kmart store

HOLDING ON TO FALL: Hardy mums were still up for grabs on Monday at Ocean State Job Lot, which saw a brisk business on a brisk day. (Rochester Voice photo)

ROCHESTER - Rochester folks are definitely warming to the city's newest discount chain store that opened in the vacant Kmart building at the Lilac Mall last month.

Ocean State Job Lot, which occupies the front half of the former Kmart footprint, is a discount chain that originated in Rhode Island in the late 1970s. They now have almost 140 stores throughout New England and Middle Atlantic States.

On Tuesday the store saw a steady stream of customers sauntering about their warehouse-size aisles packed high with bargains on food, housewares and clothing.

A manager at the store said they employed about 40 to keep the shelves stocked and handle the checkouts, which on Monday were taking donations for veterans in advance of Veterans Day next Monday.

"The customers really like the prices and the variety of stuff we have, but mostly the price," the manager said.