Ollie's Enters Minnesota, Reviving Vacant Austin Retail Space

AUSTIN, MN – March 05, 2026 – The familiar scent of “Good Stuff Cheap®” filled the air in Austin today as Ollie's Bargain Outlet officially cut the ribbon on its first-ever Minnesota store, marking the off-price retailer's expansion into its 35th state. The grand opening celebration, which began with a ceremony at 8:45 AM, drew eager shoppers with doorbuster deals and the promise of brand-name goods at steep discounts, breathing new life into a long-dormant retail property.

The new store, located at 1209 18th Ave NW next to the Hy-Vee Grocery, represents a significant milestone for both the fast-growing company and the local community. For Ollie's, it's a strategic foothold in its Midwest expansion. For Austin, it’s the revitalization of a major commercial space and a welcome economic boost.

A New Chapter for a Familiar Location

The building now bustling with bargain hunters has a history familiar to many Austin residents. The location was formerly a ShopKo, a retail anchor that shuttered its doors in mid-2019 following the company's nationwide liquidation. For nearly seven years, the large building stood vacant, a quiet reminder of the shifting retail landscape that has impacted many American towns.

Ollie's arrival marks the end of that vacancy. The company's business model often involves an “opportunistic real estate strategy,” acquiring leases for former retail locations at favorable rates. This approach not only facilitates rapid, cost-effective expansion but also serves to reinvigorate commercial zones that have suffered from closures. By transforming the former ShopKo, Ollie's is not just opening a store; it is plugging a significant hole in Austin's retail fabric, a move that can spur further activity and confidence in the surrounding area.

An Economic Injection for Mower County

Beyond filling an empty building, the new Ollie's store brings a tangible economic impact. The company announced the creation of 50 to 60 new local jobs, ranging from cashiers and stockers to management positions. This is a notable infusion of employment opportunities in a community with a December 2025 unemployment rate of 4.00%.

Based on the average hourly wage for a retail sales associate in Austin, which stood at approximately $19.08 in early 2026, the creation of these jobs could inject between $1.9 million and $2.4 million in annual wages into the local economy. While some entry-level positions may start below the calculated living wage of $20.49 per hour for a single adult in Mower County, the influx of jobs provides crucial opportunities and contributes to the area's overall economic vitality.

“Our first Minnesota store represents an important milestone in our Midwest expansion. We could not be more excited to enter our 35th state and bring Good Stuff Cheap® to the people of Austin and beyond,” said Eric van der Valk, President and CEO of Ollie's, in a statement. He also emphasized the company's focus on its workforce, stating, “Our people are the heart of our business. We're looking for great talent to join the best and fastest growing retail team in the country.”

The 'Treasure Hunt' Experience Arrives

For shoppers, Ollie's offers a unique “treasure hunt” experience that sets it apart from traditional discount stores. The company’s buyers scour the globe for closeouts, overstocks, and excess inventory from brand-name manufacturers, allowing them to sell “Real Brands, Real Bargains!®” at prices up to 70% below what customers might find in “fancy stores.”

The product assortment is vast and ever-changing, covering categories from housewares, food, and flooring to books, toys, and lawn and garden supplies. This dynamic inventory encourages repeat visits, as shoppers never know what deals they might find. It’s a model that has proven resilient and popular, particularly among budget-conscious consumers.

“If you have never been to an Ollie's before, we invite you to come see what all the fuss is about,” van der Valk added. “You really need to see it to believe it.”

A Piece of a National Growth Strategy

The Austin opening is not an isolated event but a key piece of Ollie's aggressive national growth strategy. With a market capitalization of over $6.6 billion, the Pennsylvania-based retailer has laid out a plan to more than double its footprint, aiming for an eventual total of 1,300 stores nationwide. As of late 2025, the company operated 645 stores and has consistently reported strong performance, including a 3.3% increase in comparable sales in its most recent reported quarter.

This expansion into the Midwest is being supported by significant logistical investments, including a new 615,000-square-foot distribution center in Princeton, Illinois, designed to service up to 175 stores in the region. The Austin store, therefore, sits at the forefront of a calculated and well-supported push into a new territory for the company.

While Austin has other major retailers like Walmart, Ollie's unique off-price model allows it to carve out a distinct niche. It doesn't aim to compete on weekly groceries but on the thrill of discovering a brand-name bargain, making it a new and compelling destination for the area's shoppers. As the doors remain open, the Austin community will begin to experience the full effect of having a new, vibrant retailer in town, one that promises both good deals for consumers and a welcome boost for the local economy.