Ollie’s Bargain Outlet coming soon to Fond du Lac

A new store is on the near horizon in Fond du Lac. Taking over the Big Lots store location that closed earlier this year is Ollie’s

Ollie’s is America’s largest retailer of closeout merchandise and excess inventory. They boast 557 “semi-lovely” stores that sell merchandise of all descriptions and some beyond description.

You’ll find real brands at real bargain prices in every department, from housewares to sporting goods to flooring and to food. Ollie’s buyers scour the world looking for closeouts, overstocks, package changes, manufacturer refurbished goods, and irregulars.

Much of the merchandise comes direct from manufacturers in the United States and abroad. For example, if a manufacturer makes too much of an item, or changes their packaging, Ollie’s will buy the overstocked or old packaged items. So, you will always find famous brand name products at Ollie’s, but a lot of them could be last year’s colors, patterns, or packaging that traditional retailers won’t sell.

Ollie’s has also worked very closely with financial institutions. When companies are liquidated, the banks will often sell remaining inventories and turn them into cash. Ollie’s will buy the goods back and pass the savings on to you, the customer.

With 557 stores, Ollie’s is relatively new to Wisconsin. The Fond du Lac store will be the third store to open in Wisconsin. The other two locations are Kenosha and a newly opened store in Rothschild, near Wausau.

It’s not known when the store on west Johnson Street will be open, but signage is up and a banner hanging on the building says help wanted. Those interested in applying are instructed to go to the company’s website ollies.us.