As the weather heats up, a pair of local retail landmarks have found new life.

The former Benny’s location at 148 Atwood Ave. celebrated its “soft opening” May 23 as the home of a new Ocean State Job Lot, while the Benny’s site at 819 Park Ave. will soon be the site of a Dollar Tree, according to Kelly Coates, president of Carpionato Group.

At the new Job Lot on Atwood Avenue, a steady stream of customers visited the store May 24 ahead of the Memorial Day holiday.

Kevin and Kayley Sullivan said they were pleased to see Job Lot open its doors at the location. They shop often at the retailer’s Johnston location and are glad to have one closer to home.

“It’s great. I was afraid, I didn’t know what was going in,” Kevin said.

Tracey Crauce, who was shopping with Andrea Rossi, also said Job Lot’s new proximity is a welcome development.

“We were excited … having one in our backyard is great,” she said.

Carpionato Group acquired 29 Benny’s locations after the iconic local chain closed its doors in 2017, including the two Cranston sites. In February, Carpionato announced it was selling the former Benny’s on Warwick Avenue in Warwick to Job Lot and leasing two other sites – the former stores on Atwood Avenue in Cranston and Kingstown Road in Wakefield – to the company. The Wakefield location also opened its doors last week.

Job Lot – which was founded in 1977, is based in North Kingstown and operates in New England, New York and New Jersey – also has a location at 1441 Elmwood Ave. in Cranston.

Coates called the Atwood Avenue Job Lot “magnificent” and praised the company for its contributions to the state.

“They make a great community partner in Cranston and all of Rhode Island … They’re a Rhode Island institution,” he said.

He said there is an “incredible amount of overlap” between the products available at Benny’s and Job Lot.

“It puts convenience right back in the neighborhood,” he said.

Coates did not disclose the terms of Job Lot’s lease for the Atwood Avenue location, but said the company has “made a long-term commitment.”

Matt Blanchette, an account manager with Regan Communications Group, said the Atwood Avenue location is Job Lot’s 16th store in Rhode Island and 138th overall.

“They always look for locations that make sense … they are very familiar with Cranston,” he said of the company. “There were people in this area that clamored for it.”

Eric Gagner, store team leader, said it took approximately four weeks to prepare the store for its opening. He said it has more than 50 employees, and the hiring process remains ongoing.

“Everything is positive. People love the store,” said Gagner, who previously worked at Job Lot’s Woonsocket location. “I think it’s filling a huge void in the area.”

Mike Chalifoux, a district team leader for Job Lot, oversees 12 stores, including locations in Woonsocket, Warwick, Wakefield, Seekonk, Middletown and Warren. He spoke of the “collaboration” needed to open a new store, and said the Atwood Avenue site is well suited to house Job Lot.

“This is our traditional footprint,” he said.

A grand opening at the Atwood Avenue location is scheduled for June 1.

In terms of the Dollar Tree at the former Park Avenue Benny’s, Coates said work continues to prepare the site. He said it will open within approximately 90 days. He also described Dollar Tree’s lease for the property as “long-term” but did not disclose specifics.

“It’s under construction …. It’s going to provide great service to that community,” he said.