EXHIBIT 24.1


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, in his capacity
as a director or officer, or both, of REX Stores Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), hereby constitutes and appoints Stuart A. Rose and
Edward M. Kress, or any one of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2002 and to sign any
and all amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and any one of
them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such
attorneys-in-fact and agents or any one of them, or their or his substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument on
this 2nd day of April, 2002.


                                              /s/ Lawrence Tomchin
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Lawrence Tomchin