Fairhaven and local business leaders joined officials from Ocean State Job Lot on Saturday to cut the ribbon on a new store at the former Shaws Supermarket site off Route Six in Fairhaven.

The Shaws location had been vacant since 2013 while town officials scrambled to find a new owner. Fairhaven Selectman Robert Espindola is delighted Ocean State Sob Lot moved into the former Shaws location, and purchased other storefronts in the plaza as well.

"The fact that they've purchased the entire plaza we think, is positive for the town," said Espindola. "Bringing people to this area is going to make it easier to fill those other vacant stores."

Kathy Melanson of the Fairhaven Business Association was all smiles on Saturday. "Look at the cars in this parking lot. They hired 25 new employees from the community. I'm very happy," said Melanson

And customers appeared happy with the new store as well. Linda Meredith of Fairhaven told WBSM News, "I think the store is great. It's well set up and stocked and is gonna be an asset to the town. Its a wonderful thing."

Crowd gathers outside new Ocean State Job Lot store in Fairhaven / Jim Phillips TSM
Crowd gathers outside new Ocean State Job Lot store in Fairhaven / Jim Phillips TSM
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Ocean State Job Lot moved from its location in the Walmart Plaza to a much-larger space at the former supermarket building. District Manager Richard Damaso says the company has expanded its product line in recent years, adding items like kyacks and patio sets, so it needed more space.

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