Baxter Store Lines Draw 110 Before Opening; Ollie's Counts 700th Location

A line of about 110 people formed before 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28, outside the Westgate Mall in Baxter, Minnesota, for the opening of Ollie's Bargain Outlet. The queue stretched down the block on a mild, overcast morning. Company regional director Darrin Wheat said the store drew 150 to 200 shoppers during the first hour, a figure consistent with other new locations.

The Baxter store is Ollie's 700th and its fourth in Minnesota. The chain operates in 36 states. Wheat said Ollie's buyers purchase excess inventory from manufacturers, and the merchandise is sold at prices he put at 70% below standard retail. Products on the shelves change constantly, he said. "Sometimes we say if you see it, you might want to buy it because it may not be here next week when you come back," Wheat said.

Store shelves carried Halloween candy, Christmas decorations, jigsaw puzzles, office supplies, towels, black-out curtains, knee braces, cat furniture, paint supplies, greeting cards, vacuums, mattresses, lamps, candles, and space heaters. The location carries toys, books, food, pet supplies, clothing, cleaning and laundry goods, health and beauty products, bed and bath items, floor coverings, furniture, hardware, auto supplies, and seasonal merchandise. The store employs 35 people, a headcount Wheat said is standard for an opening.

Shelley Spencer of Brainerd bought a bag of Smarties candy and items for her dogs. She said the prices were good and her cart held more than she planned to buy. "So I'm happy so far," Spencer said. Jim Vanderschaaf, shopping near the Bissell vacuum cleaners, said he already knew the chain from other regions: "They're really big down south." Wheat said Ollie's chose Baxter and the Brainerd lakes area as a new market. The store held an unannounced soft opening for customers on Tuesday, Oct. 27, ahead of the public launch. Wheat said the chain's expansion has accelerated over the last two years and that the company expects the pace to continue.