Discount retail chain Ocean State Job Lot will open a 44,997-square-foot store in the former Giant Food Stores location at 2222 E. College Ave. in College Township, the company announced on Tuesday.
The Rhode Island-based company has purchased the Nittany Commons shopping center that was home to the Giant supermarket until 2019, according to a press release. The center also houses Escape Artist, Get Air, Lendmark, Olde New York and Pep Boys.
According to county records, sale of the property was finalized on March 31.
“We are so pleased to announce our fourth new location in Pennsylvania this year,” Paul Cox, director of store operations, said in a statement. “We are committed to continued expansion throughout the Northeast and we could not be more excited to open our doors in such a great college town this summer.”
OSJL anticipates opening the new store, which will employ about 50 people, this summer.
The chain offers a variety of departments — such as household items, decor, lawn and garden, outdoor recreation and furniture, home improvement, food and beverage, clothing and health and beauty — with “brand-name merchandise at closeout prices.”
The College Township store will be the company’s eighth in Pennsylvania. It currently has 147 stores in New England, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, with more opening in the next several months.
Giant moved from the Nittany Commons location to a new store at 2121 S. Atherton St., in the Hills Plaza, in June 2019.
