Connecticut Discount Retailer Closing Longtime Store After Nearly 30 Years

The long-running Ocean State Job Lot on Queen Street in Southington is getting ready to close after nearly three decades. But the plaza won’t stay quiet for long.

As the discount retailer leaves because of a lease issue, Goodwill of Southern New England plans to step in. They’re looking to more than double their footprint in town and expand services, jobs, and donation capacity.

Find Your Ideal Getaway in Connecticut
Explore top-rated stays with no booking fees and instant confirmation. Your dream trip starts here!
Start Exploring Now

Ocean State Job Lot to Close Southington Store After Nearly 30 Years

The Southington Ocean State Job Lot has been a familiar stop for bargain hunters since the mid-1990s. Shoppers from places like Bristol, Waterbury, and New Britain have made it a regular stop.

People loved the brand name closeout specials and the no-frills vibe. The store built a loyal base of regulars searching for discounts on everything from seasonal décor to household basics.

Even with all that history and steady business, the company says the store will close after almost 30 years. They couldn’t get a long-term lease extension with the landlord, who’s apparently taking the property in a “different direction.”

Lease Issues, Not Performance, Behind the Closure

Company officials keep stressing that the closure is all about real estate, not how the store performed. Ocean State Job Lot wanted to reinvest in Southington, but no workable long-term lease meant they couldn’t move forward.

Across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, Ocean State Job Lot runs over 170 stores, including spots in Hartford, New Haven, and Stamford. The chain’s still growing and even planning new store openings in 2026, so this Southington shutdown is really just about this one site.

Employees Offered Jobs in Nearby Stores

When a long-running store closes, people always wonder about the employees. Ocean State Job Lot says all associates from Southington will get offered equivalent jobs at nearby stores.

The retailer is directing its Southington staff to several close locations. That way, jobs—and paychecks—stay within reach for local families.

Where Southington Staff Can Go Next

According to the company, current Southington employees can move to:

Bristol – Probably the most convenient for many Queen Street regulars and workers.
Waterbury – A bigger hub for retail jobs in the area.
Berlin – Serving central Connecticut along busy commuter routes.
Meriden – Another established Ocean State Job Lot with easy highway access.

By offering equivalent roles at other stores, Ocean State Job Lot shows it values the experience and loyalty of its Southington team. The company’s publicly thanked both associates and customers for nearly three decades of support, calling Southington an important part of its Connecticut story.

Goodwill to Double in Size with Move Into Former Job Lot Space

Ocean State Job Lot’s exit will be quickly followed by Goodwill of Southern New England’s expansion. Goodwill plans to move into the 24,000-square-foot space, more than doubling the size of its current Southington store.

Right now, Goodwill operates from a 12,000-square-foot spot nearby. That smaller location has struggled to keep up with donation volume and the needs of its business model.

Larger Store Means More Donations, Jobs, and Services

Moving into the former Job Lot site marks a big upgrade for Goodwill. The organization outlined several benefits:

Improved donation processing – The bigger space lets Goodwill sort and process donations more efficiently.
More products on the sales floor – Shoppers will see a wider selection of clothing, housewares, furniture, and seasonal items.
Additional staff – A larger store means more employees and new job opportunities for locals.
Better fit for Goodwill’s mission – The new space lines up better with Goodwill’s goals of supporting workforce development and community services.

Goodwill’s planned expansion is pretty good news for Southington and nearby places like Middletown and Manchester. Folks from all around donate and shop at regional Goodwill stores, so a bigger, more efficient Southington hub should strengthen the nonprofit’s presence in central Connecticut.

A Changing Retail Landscape on Queen Street

Queen Street has always been one of Southington’s busiest commercial corridors. This transition just shows how retail spaces keep shifting all over Connecticut.

Long-standing names like Ocean State Job Lot might have to move out because of lease changes. Meanwhile, new or growing tenants such as Goodwill are stepping in, keeping plazas lively and relevant.

Both organizations say they’re still committed to the Southington community. Ocean State Job Lot isn’t going far—it’ll stay just a short drive away in neighboring towns.

Goodwill wants to better serve local donors, shoppers, and job seekers. For residents, the storefronts might look different, but honestly, Queen Street still feels like the place to go for value shopping and community services in central Connecticut.

Here is the source article for this story: CT discount retailer to close location where it has operated for nearly three decades

Discover Your Perfect Stay in Connecticut
Find available hotels and vacation homes instantly. No fees, best rates guaranteed!
Check Availability Now