T.J. Maxx Opens New Store in Norwood Shopping Center-November 11, 1978

Jam-Packed Grand Opening Brings Off-Price Brand-Name Retailer to 25,000-Square-Foot Former Sears Building on Nahatan Street

NORWOOD — Eager shoppers packed the new T.J. Maxx department store in the Norwood Shopping Center on Nahatan Street for its grand opening, marking the rapidly expanding chain’s fourth retail location in Massachusetts.

The 25,000-square-foot store—occupying the site formerly housing Sears—opened to a massive crowd. Store Manager Pat Fitzgerald, Assistant Managers Gary Zamore and Brian O’Donoghue, Vice President of Operations Dick Stoller, and District Manager Jeff Gove oversaw the opening day festivities. The new location brings approximately 100 retail jobs to the Norwood area, operating from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Off-Price Model, National Expansion, and Product Selection

T.J. Maxx President Ben Cammarata emphasized the core distinction between the chain’s off-price model and traditional discount stores, noting that T.J. Maxx provides top brand-name clothing and home goods at savings of up to 60 percent off traditional department store prices.

“The difference is that we offer the same merchandise as name retailers, but at a lower cost to the consumer,” Cammarata explained. The company achieves these price reductions through an expert buying network that purchases manufacturer overstocks, quality samples, closeouts, and saleable irregulars.

Key features of the new Norwood store and chain operations include:

• National Growth: With 17 stores nationwide across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine, Ohio, Illinois, and North Carolina, T.J. Maxx plans to open 8 to 10 new locations annually.
• Product Departments: Misses and junior sportswear, men’s wear, infants’ and children’s apparel, lingerie, dresses, coats, giftware, and domestic items.
• Customer Services: Layaway programs, major credit card acceptance, and a “hassle-free” return policy.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger