The Management Team at Ocean State Job Lot Today: Keith, Rob and Joleen.
Jonathan Cohen Testified Before the Falmouth Town Council at its Last Meeting. Cohen is a Resident of Falmouth.
A Large Cake Ordered for Associates at Ocean State/Job Lot Today. Another Cake Will be Ordered for the Weekend Associates.
Ocean State Job Lot, a chain of discount stores based in Rhode Island, won its lawsuit against its landlords Joe Soley and Jonathan Cohen it was recently announced. The two controversial developers purchased the Route 1, Falmouth property earlier this year. Immediately, the unpopular developers told the new tenants they would have to leave their large space at the shopping center because of a technical glitch in the lease. The large space had been unoccupied for many years. The Judge, Robert Mulhern, believed the lease differences could have been worked out between the parties had the developers wanted.
The Job Lot management team learned on Tuesday evening of their court victory when the Regional Manager called them with the good news.
This blogger has misplaced her notes on the matter from this afternoon! But from memory, the management team seen above left, said they were pleased that they no longer had this controversy hanging over their heads. And that their associates do not have to wonder whether or not they have to start looking for another job. Numerous customers of the popular chain have stopped in to congratulate the associates of the store.
The store has a ten (10) year lease with the option of another ten (10) year lease. According to the court order, Soley/Cohen will have to pay all court and legal fees. There is a possibility the two unpopular developers will appeal the decision.
“We feel vindicated by the court’s recent decision and are thrilled to continue operating our store in Falmouth. Throughout 40 years of business, across eight states dealing with dozens and dozens of landlords, we’ve never encountered a situation quite like this. We are especially happy for our associates, who can now feel a sense of relief that their jobs and for our local customers, who know they can continue to count on us for their shopping needs and community support. We pride ourselves on being a responsible tenant. We invested $1.3million in opening our store and bringing a gym to an underperforming shopping center. We again want to thank our associates and customers who supported us through this difficult ordeal and we look forward to serving the community for many years to come.” Marc Perlman, CEO and Principal Owner, Ocean State Job Lot.
Jonathan Cohen, a partner of Joe Soley, recently appeared before the Falmouth Town Council. He was trying to get a commitment from the Town Council that it would not use a “master plan” to redevelop the “Falmouth Center.” A master plan gives Falmouth officials more ability to control what happens in the huge development. Cohen said that he would get back to the town on whether or not it would go ahead with various studies – environmental and traffic – required by the town council, although he said he did not want to provide that information. Cohen has threatened to back out of the redevelopment if the Town Council does not pursue the zoning change he and Soley favor.
Cohen is the developer for the WEX headquarters on the Portland waterfront. Soley, 87, was formerly a business partner of Spiro Agnew, the VP under President Richard Nixon. Agnew was forced to resign his position and narrowly stayed out of prison. Soley is a major real estate owner in Portland. Some businesses in the Old Port of Portland, familiar with Soley’s controversial background, try to avoid having him as a landlord.
Please visit post herein dated July 23, 2018 for more background information on Cohen’s appearance before the Falmouth Town Council on the redevelopment of the “Falmouth Center.’