Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, with one store open in Regency and another planned in Orange Park, intends to open in June along Normandy Boulevard in West Jacksonville.
It won’t stop there.
“Jacksonville is a big city. I’d say yes, we’re still looking for a couple more,” said Real Estate Vice President Jerry Altland.
He didn’t specify where, although he referred to “west” at large as an area of interest.
The Normandy store will occupy 30,000 square feet at 5810 Normandy Blvd., according to a Certificate of Use application filed with the city.
Ollie’s also held a job fair last week to staff the store.
Ollie’s opened its first Jacksonville store in June in Regency Park at 9400 Atlantic Blvd. That one is more than 40,000 square feet.
Another is planned in Orange Park at Ridgecrest Plaza, at 868 Blanding Blvd.. That is 30,000 square feet. Altland said would open in late October.
Each hires 45-55 employees, he said.
Ollie’s is based in Harrisburg, Pa. It registered the claim of “good stuff cheap.”
Before the Regency store opened in the former Babies “R” Us space in Regency Park, Altland anticipated adding several more stores.
Ollie’s says its initial average cash investment is $1 million per store, which includes store fixtures and equipment, inventory and pre-opening expenses.
Ollie’s also backfills store space that other tenants have vacated. Altland said previously it takes second- and third-generation buildings.
Altland said the average store is 33,500 square feet, although some, like at Regency Park, are larger.
Ollie’s is a bargain outlet and discount store, which sells merchandise up to 70 percent “off the fancy stores,” Altland said previously.
Ollie’s buys closeouts, excess inventory, salvage merchandise and liquidations, with a broad selection of brand-name merchandise.
The olliesbargainoutlet.com site shows stores comprise 15 departments, such as home improvement and hardware, flooring, health and beauty supplies, electronics, toys and pet supplies.
It carries seasonal items, such as summer furniture and Christmas decorations.
Its loyalty-club members are called “Ollie’s Army.”
Altland said it has 244 stores, including 11 in Florida. It continues to expand into the Sunshine State. Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings Inc. went public in July 2015.
Other than Miami-Dade for now, “we’re really looking just about everywhere in the state of Florida,” he said.
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