The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Ocean State Job Lot celebrated the grand opening of its Franklin Park store Dec. 1 by giving gifts to local organizations.
The Rhode Island-based discount retailer opened its 133rd store in the country and fifth store in New Jersey at the Franklin Towne Center, at the corner of Route 27 and South Middlebush Road.
A donation of $1,000 was made to the Franklin Township Cultural Arts Council for use in supplying the township gazebo with lights, and another donation of $1,000 in non-perishable food was made to the Franklin Food Bank.
The gazebo donation came from the Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation’s “Close to Our Heart” program.
OSJL will also donate a tractor-trailer load of food to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey.
Bill Grippo, one of the organizers of the gazebo effort, thanked the chain’s representatives and welcomed them to the township.
“You guys have really shown generosity to this community, and we welcome you,” he said. “To have a corporate partner like you demonstrate your commitment is significant, and we acknowledge you for that.”
“It’s not that often that you can find a corporation that responded so quickly and positively to my phone call,” he said. “I want you to know that what the gazebo does over on DeMott Lane is an extension of what you people are doing here in Franklin Park. That gazebo is open to everyone in the community, and I hope your associates an everyone who comes here will participate in it.”
Frank Hasner, the food bank’s executive director, said the donation to his organization will go a long way.
“That means a lot of folks are going to be able to pick out some food at our new facility,” he said. “It’s absolutely wonderful. Everybody donates in December and then in January, February stuff starts running down, so this should sustain us for a couple months.”
The opening event also featured a “Discount Dash for Charity,” in which three contestants had 133 seconds – one for each store in the chain – to find pre-arranged items.
The winner was Capt. Greg Borlan of the Franklin Township Police Department, who won a $500 OSJL gift card for Angel Tails, a group that helps the Franklin Township Animal Shelter.
OSJL gift cards of $250 each were won by Mike McGinn of Magic 98.3 radio for the Karma Cat and Dog Rescue Society in Milltown and Blogger Cindy Livesey of the Living Rich with Coupons blog for Elijah’s Promise in New Brunswick.
“We are so pleased that Ocean State Job Lot can play such an important role in the revitalization of this shopping district,” David Sarlitto, executive director of the Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation, said in a press release about the opening. “We pride ourselves on making connections within the communities in which we operate, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with the town of Franklin Park.”
Mayor Phil Kramer was also on hand to help cut the ceremonial ribbon for the store’s grand opening.
“I’m very glad to have Ocean State Job Lot move to us,” he said. “They’re offering jobs, they’re offering discounts so people can save money. People don’t have to travel as far to get their goods, and they’re becoming a member of the community.”
“I’m very excited to have a new member of our community that’s giving so much to us,” Kramer said.
Ocean State Job Lot’s regional director, James Hines, welcomed everyone to teh ceremony.
“We’re excited about serving this community , we really do appreciate the partnership and the support that we’ve gotten from the Franklin Park community as well,” he said.
Store manager Steve Armand said he was “excited” to be at the store.
“I have a great group of associates and we’re all very excited to be here, we are committed to giving everyone a great shopping experience,” he said.
