Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, which describes itself as an “extreme value retailer of brand name merchandise at drastically reduced prices,” will soon open in Champaign.
The new Ollie’s Bargain Outlet will be located in the former Office Depot store near Kohl’s, in property managed by Market Place Shopping Center. The address is 111 Convenience Center Road, Champaign.
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet will celebrate its grand opening on Feb. 22 at 9 a.m.
After Feb. 22, the store will be open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
So what is Ollie’s? Many Champaign-Urbana shoppers are probably unfamiliar with the store and its merchandise, a mix of overstock items direct from manufacturers.
The publicly traded chain is in a period of rapid growth, and is barreling toward 500 locations this year. Ollie’s recently started expanding into Illinois; the Peoria store was the chain’s first in the state. It opened in September 2022.
Here’s a description from its website: “Ollie’s is America’s largest retailers of closeout merchandise and excess inventory. Our 465 ‘semi-lovely’ stores sell merchandise of all descriptions and some beyond description.”
The Champaign store grand opening flyer features deals on everything from housewares to clothes to small appliances to pet items to home improvement supplies. On its website it features a list of departments, which includes toys and sporting goods.
The vibe of Ollie’s branding includes whimsical graphics, humorous signs and a treasure hunt shopping experience.
“Our motto is Good Stuff Cheap, so meaning we’ve got lots of great stuff at great prices on brand name merchandise,” said Ken Missig, regional director for Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, told WMBD in Peoria at the time. “When they come into the store they’ll definitely see brands they know and recognize and probably buy all the time.”
The store is well known on the East Coast. Founded in Mechanicsburg, Pa., the company is now headquartered in nearby Harrisburg, Pa.
Discount chains have flocked to Champaign in recent years, including retailers Ross, Home Goods, Burlington, and Five Below as well as grocers such as Ruler Foods. All of those have opened in the North Prospect corridor.
Chambanamoms.com reached out multiple times for comment from Ollie’s but received no response.
See the video below to get a feel for Ollie’s.