Inside a Former Ames Store, Now Ocean State Job Lot! So Little Has Changed!

[@Randar1077]

This is my go-to OSJL. It was also my go-to Ames. So many times, as I stand in line to check out, I find myself remembering what the store looked like when it was an Ames. This is the nicest-looking OSJL in the immediate area. The one in Westfield (also a former Ames, if I remember) is so dumpy in comparison.

[@YoKirby706]

Being from Connecticut, I love the videos you do! Keep it up, these historical informative videos about stuff local to me are really exciting and gives me nostalgia, whether it’s the abandoned places, mall videos, etc

[@spencerblais2539]

Heyo! Local Rhode Islander here! First off, I found your channel via the strangeness of the algorithm but I am glad I did. Second- Job Lot is something I have a liking towards, since it was one of the local chains I went to a lot growing up. Not as good as Benny's was, but it's still holding its own decently well. Always fun to see what kind of stuff is found in here.

[@OriginalNethead]

Ocrean State carries the full line of Bob's Red Mill products, and all sorts of crazy imports that don't normally appear in American stores. Good prices on spices and coffee. Other things that never made it to mainstream grocery shelves. You can also score BIG with the Crazy Deal food. Buy $10 worth or more and get a store credit for what you spent. I found some really good iced tea there. Cleaned 'em out. My Ocean State was a smallish Stop,Shop Elsewhere that moved to larger quarters. I go in mainly for the food and cleaning supplies.

[@GhostReaper2043]

yeah and get sick in the process or get severe food poisoning that lands you in the hospital no thanks

[@Dieozam]

Thank you algorithm for blessing me with such unique travel videos lol

[@fleabittenadventures]

I'm going to assume you aren't being sarcastic. Thanks for watching!

[@Dieozam]

@@fleabittenadventures nope, totally genuine. Good stuff 👍

[@JacquelineJoyner]

Ames!! You just unlocked a childhood memory for me. 😂

[@MikeCiccolo]

OSJL is my favorite store. I wouldn't call it a junk store. Building 19 was a junk store.

[@isaacsorensen8377]

There's a place a lot like this here in Central Minnesota, but they even use former Ames carts. (At least I think so, red sticker covering each of the logos and the handles were sanded, but are the signature Ames green color.

[@wintersprite]

Our old Ames in NH also an Ocean State Job Lot. My mom worked at Ames from the 1980s until they closed in 2002 (and works at the OSJL since it opened a couple of years after Ames closed) I still remember most of the old layout. We did most of our shopping at Ames (employee discount) and my mom also often used the Layaway option for Christmas gifts. Many of my old Barbies came from Ames (I only have one left (actually two if counting Disney’s Pocahontas), as well as a couple of Barbie outfits. We still have some decorations and ornaments from Ames. I also recently found scotch tape from Ames when going through a bunch of stuff in the living room. My Space Maker pencil boxes also came from Ames (I miss Space Maker and am glad I still have three). We’ve found a couple of American Girl craft/book kits at our Ocean State, several years ago (we’re both adult American Girl doll collectors). I also found some Prismacolor products a few years ago and more recently a paint by number kit from Arteza. With one of the employee 40% off days, I was able to get a power massager.

[@theebytch8773]

Great video! I was a small child when we would go to Zayre's in Revere in the 1980's. I think it was the early 90's when Zayre's turned to Ames here. I hated going when I was a child but miss it now. The nostalgia is real. I also feel like the quality was better back then in those stores even though they were discount stores.

[@fredWaxBeans11111]

I've taken a friend to the VA Medical Center in West Haven, CT a few times. Last time I was there, I noticed there was a Railroad Salvage on the same road. I was stunned. I remember the one in East Windsor, CT as a kid, but didn't think they existed anymore. I should try and make it into that store sometime. Railroad Salvage was the original Job Lot type store. All kinds of crap lol.

[@gremlinfinger5964]

It was open? The east Windsor one closed in the 90s I think.

[@danasion4349]

Great video, OSJL is a very interesting company that has been aggressively expanding out of New England into NY and PA. Regarding the store lighting, I have not been to this particular location, however all locations at this point should have had an extensive visit from the electrical contractor that installed all completely new LED ceiling light bars throughout the entire store. Some locations this made a huge improvement in places that had its original store lighting that was impractical ( such as former Circuit City locations and Walmarts ). This believe it or not, this is a OSJL seen in better condition, the Salem NH store in a huge open and bright former Toys R Us is amazing looking compared to some locations such as the horrible Portsmouth/Newington NH location in a small circuit city that's a filthy cramped mess with rat traps set all over under shelves ( seriously ).

[@crowtrobot30011]

When I first saw the thumbnail I thought you might be in Palmer, MA. Same story that the Ames there shut down and became an Ocean State Job Lot. Like this one it still has the same layout as Ames did back in the day.

[@GuyGrillo]

I GREW UP GOING TO THIS FORMER AMES BACK IN THE EARLY 90S WHEN IT WAS AMES AND I AM GLAD SINCE 2009 OCEN STATE JOB LOT TOOK OVER AMES THAT IS IN SOUTHWICK MA THAT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE TOWNS TO LIVE IN MA😊

[@aleks1939]

Having moved away from RI in the mid 90s, I missed Ocean State Job Lot. But seeing your video, it's really no different than Big Lots, Ollies, and Bargain Hunt, which is what we have here in suburban Atlanta. But man, I miss Caldor; it was so much better than Target.

[@RichRetr0]

We need to bring back Bradley's!

[@hoshimaruhajime7933]

Sadly it might not happen

[@mr.tomraypaz6085]

This looks very similar to the former Ames in Belfast, ME that Ocean State Job Lot took over. My parents loved Job Lot. The one that we went to oven Bangor, ME was an Ames as well (opened as a Rich’s) and it takes up a third of the building

[@GuyGrillo]

FORMER AMES NOW OCEN STATE JOB LOT IN SOUTHWICK MA IS REALLY COOL PLACE AND THE PLACE HAS NOT CHANGED AT ALL AND THAT IS HOW I LIKE IT AND THE OLD BLUE TILE MENS BATHROOM IN THE BACK OF THE STORE IS ONE OF THE COOLEST THINGS THAT HAS NOT CHANGED AT ALL SINCE IT WAS AMES BACK IN THE EARLY 90S AND THE MAIN PART OF THE INSIDE OF THE STORE HAS NOT CHANGED AND MOST OF THE LAYOUT AND SHELVES AND EVEN SHOPPING CARTS ARE ALL THE SAME SINCE AMES😊

[@xzAllisonxz]

OMG DUDE IM FROM SOUTHWICK, MA!! What's your name? I graduated in 1989 SOUTHWICK High. So cool!! I actually worked my very first job at the Big Y next door when it was smaller and Brooks drug store was on the other side of Big Y. Wow, the memories.

[@Randar1077]

Isn't it awesome to see something from Southwick represented?? I go to this OSJL on the regular.

[@xzAllisonxz]

@@Randar1077 yes definitely is very cool.

[@mets137781]

With my folks living up in the Grandville area i have a lot of memories of Ames, my dad actually used to rep for them( and bradlees and caldor). That said never been in this one, but in Bristol Ct the Ocean state was in an old stop and shop and man it looked like Mad Max stop snd shop. They traded with TJ maxx a few years back and now it looks like Mad max TJ Maxx instead.

[@cen2zero]

there’s actually another ocean state similar to this in springfield MA, it was previously a toys r us.

[@alfonsoalfonso647]

I never saw an Ames in Miami, Florida. Biggest competitors to Kmart here, were Zayres, and Jeffersons. All long gone now. Zayres was considered a cheaper version of Kmart. Jeffersons was very much like JC Penny. It was an anchor store in malls.

[@CR7659]

When Zayre quit a lot of them became Ames stores. They did operate the Florida stores for at least a few years.

[@kanna-san.]

Zayres later became what is now known as TJMaxx

[@scottlawrence9008]

I don't believe Ames got that far down into the South. They were centered in the Northeast.

[@EJFXxx]

the first Ames department store in Sturbridge also became a Job Lot (yes I know the first was actually in Southbridge, but not as we knew it)

[@fleabittenadventures]

Yes, I read that a lot of Ames became Ocean State Job Lots. Thanks for watching!

[@dawns1017]

Thanks for all the Info. Our Ames turned into Ocean State Job Lot years ago. This year Best Buy near us closed, and Ocean State lot came in. That new store is humongous!!!

[@spaghetti_legss]

I would love checking out the weird foods here. Nice video 🙏

[@fleabittenadventures]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it! I may do a video like that someday.

[@GhostReaper2043]

But do not eat the food looks like a lot of it has expired but be my guess a get sick or worse go to the hospital

[@mrh6431]

We need a store like that here in Ohio!!!!!!!

[@thewhitebackground]

Loved this place

[@scottcerra6324]

It's an adventure to keep up with everything!

[@fredWaxBeans11111]

Before it was an Ames, our store was a Zayre in the 70s / 80s which I remember being dragged to as a kid. Anyone remember Zayre?

[@781Florist]

Before you go back to school go to ZAYRE You can learn the ABCs of saving there.... For less than you realize Everything from clothes to school supplies Before you go back to school (ba da da dum....) GO TO ZAYRE!

[@Charmedone9805]

@0:48 oh noo Bradlees and Caldor did not feel like this store lol

[@workjobb]

Unfortunately, our Ames became Christmas Tree Shop, which now sits empty, much like our JC Penneys. The closest Job Lot is 45 minutes away. Job Lot is a great go-to for k cups, as they carry a great selection, and Portuguese sweet bread, which I've seen at every Job Lot. Still waiting for Ollie's to come to Maine/New Hampshire. The only thing that bugs me about these videos is that Tom touches everything but apparently buys nothing. Damn, you've got a cart-put stuff in it!

[@wintersprite]

While no NH, Springfield, VT has an Ollies.

[@bawwwdis232]

I worked at the Big Y next door for 5 years!

[@amzifickingertheamazingyoutube]

Reminds me of olies in Pennsylvania

[@kylestraveljournal]

One Ocean State Job Lot in CT is in an old Ames and last I knew it still had the Ames registers and lights.

[@espotpod]

The ames that was walking distance to my childhood home got turned into a church. They really chopped up the inside to make different aread for worship, youth group, child care, events and offices. You can still tell inside that it used to be a store tho.

[@appalachianwoman561]

People have no idea how plain these stores used to be, Kmart kinda gives you an idea and Ames, Hills and many of the others like the local ones to me like Magic Mart and Maloney's Department stores were. Today those like Target and even Walmart work to look neat, updated and keep you coming back but i remember stores like Magic Mart had carpet in the clothing and soft goods departments and the rest were just plain and simple. I do miss those stores like Hills and Magic Mart tho, because you could find things there you couldn't find anywhere else. Also how I wish we had walk thru tours on video of those old stores.

[@R32R38]

Oddly enough I spotted two upscale food brands: Tate's Bake Shop cookies and Silver Palate pasta sauces. Though, alas, the rest of the joint looked mediocre (I'm being *very* charitable), and also most of the shelves seem 20+ years old.

[@bobert201164]

Inside Reminds me of the southampton tractor supply

[@andysorensen1737]

Just Googled Royale. Looks like they’re a Canadian company and there were real Persian kittens in Royale commercials in the 70s & 80s. Following those, the characters became minor celebrities in their own right.

[@KTraska82]

Where do I find 94th Birthday Cards?

[@CherylM66]

I worked for both calories and Bradley's. Not sure if you remember two guys

[@zoeazsss5035]

Just wondering if you have been to Kmart in Holyoke? I think its closed.

[@jimmiethekid15]

Someone told me Ocean State Job Lot is a cleaner version of Ollies. I went into the recently opened on in PA, and it seems to be true, Although, it was an awesome store to visit.

[@fleabittenadventures]

Probably depends on the specific store. This one could use a good cleaning.

[@MikkiCio]

Yes, Ocean State Job Lot, or Odd Lot as the comedians say. Big fan. The local one is in a former Ames.

[@raymondlussier3920]

One of our Ocean State Job Lots (there are 2 here in my town) is a former K Mart, the other is a former Benny's.

[@mattmaverick703]

This looks like a mixture of an Ollies bargain outlet and Roses discount store interesting

[@richardpaz1919]

Have you been to the one in Medway Mass?

[@jockofocker59]

The AMES near me became an Ocean State Job Lot too

[@tchenail]

I'm a canadian but visited the Ames in Malone NY

[@raymondlussier3920]

the former Ames here in Cranston was torn down and now a Carmax sits on it.

[@GoldmineVideoLoot]

You should definitely pick up some Tim Tams and dip them in your Coffee or Hot Chocolate

[@CR7659]

I think the furthest west OSJL goes is the Albany NY market and they're closing one store there.

[@geoffreygillott1412]

The Ames is Naugatuck, CT became a Job Lot

[@blakiniknorguild142]

If we are talking discounters, I prefer Ollies.

[@earlenemason41]

It's this still open

[@scottcerra6324]

If you see it buy it! It may never be back!

[@jennyames6532]

Wonder if related Last name Ames

[@amzifickingertheamazingyoutube]

Olies good stuff cheap

[@IssacBryan-q9c]

Oh no watch out, The Human League is coming for their royalty!. Looks like a big store but never heard of them.

[@scottcerra6324]

There is such a high turnover of merchandise.

[@kidicarus84]

Ames Store bathroom clean

[@GhostReaper2043]

I would never never buy food in that place. It looks like a lot of it is expired and that store can get into a lot of trouble with the health department if someone ate food from here and died.

[@wintersprite]

I haven’t had any problems with expiration at our Ocean State.

[@soldiersvejk2053]

For so many years I thought it was a job-seeking place😂

[@wintersprite]

I think of it as sorta similar to Big Lots.

[@jockofocker59]

AMES is coming back

[@redwingscuj031]

No it's not..that was all a hoax dude.

[@jockofocker59]

@@redwingscuj031 lol ok well I fell for it

[@55555711]

Looks like a big store but never heard of them

[@robertriley1569]

Northgate Ames

[@ErikVince]

It reminds me of all these that's another type of junk store to I don't even bother with those type of stores

[@geoffreygillott1412]

Oh no watch out, The Human League is coming for their royalty!

[@brad3042]

How is this place even a thing? Looks like a lower-grade Big Lots.

[@scottcerra6324]

It's better than Big lots... Their merchandise changes by the week!