After confirming a few months ago that they were taking over the former Big Lots location on Dupont Highway, Ollie’s Bargain Outlet has installed a sign on the front of the building and a sign on the door states they will open May 7.
A visit to the Ollie’s Bargain Outlet website now shows the new store located in Milford, but hours are listed as “Coming Soon.” Below the hours on the website is a statement.
“Hunting for Bargains in the MILFORD area? Visit your local Ollie’s for great deals on Brand Name Merchandise up to 70% off the fancy stores! Home Decor, Health & Beauty Supplies, Bed & Bath, Cleaning Supplies, Electronics, Food & Drinks, Lawn & Garden, Books, Toys & Games, and so much more…you won’t find prices this low anywhere else!” the statement reads. “Our inventory is constantly changing, so if you see something you like, BUY IT! ‘Cause when these deals are gone, they’re gone! Hurry in today & save!”
The new location plans to employ 20 to 30 people. Salaries range from entry level at $13 to $15 per hour, assistant managers who can earn as much as $19 to $21 per hour and store managers that earn $50,000 or higher.
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet began in 1982 in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, when founders Mort Bernstein, Mark L. Butler, Harry Coverman, and Oliver “Ollie” Rosenberg launched the business as a closeout and surplus retailer. Built around the now well-known slogan “good stuff cheap,” the company steadily expanded from a small regional operation into a nationwide retail chain.
The idea for the business grew out of Bernstein’s experience running Lawrence Millwork, a lumberyard that was struggling during a difficult economic period. During a trip to Boston, Bernstein visited a surplus retailer called Building 19 and saw an opportunity to replicate that model. After sharing the concept with Rosenberg, the group moved forward with the idea, with Rosenberg helping finance the first store and lending his name to the brand.
Ollie’s business model centers on purchasing excess inventory, overstocks, and goods from bankrupt companies at discounted prices. The first store opened on July 29, 1982, in a former Lawrence Millwork building. Early marketing efforts featured hand-drawn cartoon versions of Rosenberg paired with humorous, handwritten-style ads, which helped establish the brand’s distinctive identity. By 1987, the company had grown to three locations in central Pennsylvania, with additional stores opening in the early 1990s.
Despite the passing of Rosenberg in 1996, the company continued to expand. In July 2015, Ollie’s went public, trading on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “OLLI.” After Butler’s death in 2019, leadership transitioned to CEO John Swygert. By 2021, the company reported net sales of $1.753 billion, reflecting its continued growth and popularity.
Unlike many modern retailers, Ollie’s has remained committed to a traditional, in-store shopping experience and does not sell products online. The company’s no-frills stores focus on deeply discounted merchandise, often sourced from major retailers that have excess inventory or discontinued items.
Expansion has continued in recent years. Following the closure of Big Lots in 2025, Ollie’s acquired 63 store leases, with plans to convert them into new Ollie’s locations by the end of that year. Today, the company operates more than 600 stores across 34 states.
In addition to its retail success, Ollie’s supports charitable causes through the Ollie’s Cares Foundation. The organization partners with groups such as the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, Feeding America, Toys for Tots, and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, raising more than $2 million annually to support community initiatives.
