The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Ocean State Job lot is moving in
Store will be housed in old K-Mart building
TORRINGTON >> Ocean State Job Lot is opening in Torrington in the coming months, bringing a large vacant retail space back into use.
Mark Swiderski, construction project manager with Ocean State Job Lot, and Peter T. Ricci, an architect with Arkitecture Plus of West Caldwell, N.J., who’s undertaking the design of the store, discussed plans for the new retail outlet with members of the Architectural Review Committee Thursday.
The business will be housed in the former K-Mart at 681 Main Street, in the plaza alongside McDonald’s and Pricerite.
“We’re excited about it. It’s al-
ways nice to take something that’s an eyesore, and put the money into it, and bring it up to something that’s pleasant to everyone that lives in the town,” said Swiderski. “We’re happy about that. We think it’s a nice location.”
A Nov. 18 opening is planned, he said Thursday, ahead of Black Friday, which traditionally kicks off the holiday shopping season.
Approximately 110 people will be employed at the store, according to Swiderski.
The retail location will take up roughly half of the existing building, some 50,000 square feet. Asbestos found previously within the space will need to be remediated before the store opens, according to Swiderski.
At the moment, Swiderski said the store is looking for two additional outlets to fill the space.
Ocean State Job Lot plans to take ownership of the plaza as a whole, as discussed Thursday. The existing stores will remain after this planned transaction, he said, and become tenants of the company.
The Architectural Review Committee approved signage and changes to the facade on the building Thursday. As discussed by Ricci, the curve on the existing facade will be removed, leaving a flat surface for the name of the retail outlet. The front of the building will also be painted as part of the project, Ricci said, and the roof will be replaced.
Energy-efficient lighting, heating, and air-conditioning will also be installed as part of the work, he said. The parking lot that serves the store location will also be re-paved and re-striped, according to Swiderski, and curbing will be repaired.
“Welcome to the neighborhood,” said committee chairman Marc Trivella.
City Engineer Ed Fabbri suggested that the street address be printed on the building, which will be incorporated into the plans.
City Planner Martin Connor said that Planning and Zoning Commission approval was not required for the project to move forward, since the new store does not represent a change in use from the K-Mart.