Ollie’s, the largest retailer of close-out merchandise in the country, is moving into the old Tractor Supply Co. location in Jasper this fall.
Tom Kuypers, senior vice president of marketing for Ollie’s, said the company is always looking for the best future business opportunities.
“Jasper came up on our radar and our real estate team was able to make a great deal with the developer”, Kuypers said.
Jasper mayor David O’Mary said the store should prove to be a popular shopping destination in Jasper.
“Ollie’s has a high popularity in the bargain outlet business,” O’Mary said. “As such they should be an excellent retail draw for our City. I am very pleased to see additional retail growth on the west side of Jasper.”
The store opening is set for mid-to-late October. Kuypers said that the time frame can always change.
The Jasper store will be the 20th location for the retailer in the state of Alabama, with Ollie’s stores in both large metropolitan and small cities alike. The company has not seen “any impediments within their pre-existing establishments, regardless of the size of the city,” according to Kuypers.
“We love small cities,” he said. “It’s one of the places where we feel the most comfortable, to be honest. We typically really like to be part of the community, we like to come and establish ourselves.”
Ollie’s business model focuses around purchasing closeout brand-name merchandise, ranging from high end to moderate, and reselling it at prices lower than big-box retailers. Kuypers said this creates a different experience for shoppers with every visit due to “the merchandise changing constantly.”
“We get products from manufacturers and retailers in all types of different areas,” he explained. “We offer those products at up to seventy percent off the prices you would find at other stores. So while you may find something similar at Walmart, our prices should be lower.”
Ollie’s looks to bring 30-50 new jobs to the area.
“As one of the fastest-growing retailers across the country, with a promotion rate of over fifty percent of people within the system, Ollie’s is actively looking for employees who want a career with them,” Kuypers said. “I’m sure the (Jasper) store is currently accepting applications, and if not, then they will be shortly.”
Apart from new jobs, Ollie’s also hopes to become active members of the local community.
The company promotes multiple charities that give back to the community, including Feeding America which supports a nationwide network of more than two hundred local food pantries and food banks, and Children’s Miracle Network that supports over 170 children’s hospitals and treatment centers.
“We are very excited when we open a new store in a new city, and certainly historic Jasper is one of those that we are excited about as well,” Kuypers said.
