What a whirlwind this year has been! We can all agree that the older we get, the faster the months squeeze by! Once again, the madness, hustle, bustle craziness is erupting. Where to shop, what to find for all those on our lists. Many of you have seen the family population increase lending a need for even more gifts! I have a neighbor with 14 grands now! Times are different now for many. Grandparents are offered lists, no longer called wish lists which give ideas of interests, likes, etc. Now the lists are “what to get”……Don’t get me wrong, lists can be helpful, but that old element of surprise is dwindling away…
For several years I’ve written about Hardware stores, not the big box stores, but small hometown good ol’ Hardware stores in which you’d find something of interest for everyone. That is… IF you know the recipient well, their hobbies, favorite activities and interests. Looking back, I noticed my ideas weren’t geared toward babies, toddlers and young children. So let’s look at a chain store (oh I don’t care for most chains…) that I’ve been visiting for years in Pa.
Seems like everyone is complaining about high prices these days and with lots of gift-giving on the horizon, it can be headache material right? Well, settle down and let me tell you about a big store with most items 70% + off! Yeppers, from children’s toys, books, educational toys/books, clothing, arts & crafts, sweets and more! Ollie’s Bargain Outlet. “ OLLIE’S GOOD STUFF CHEAP” is their slogan.
Ollie’s began in 1982 when four men, Mark Butler, Mort Bernstein, Oliver “Ollie” Rosenberg and Harry Coverman had the idea of purchasing overflow & excess inventory from various companies. There are now over 500 Locations in 32 eastern USA. As businesses fold or declare bankruptcy, Ollie’s swoops in to buy out the inventory as was the case when 15 Big Lots closed recently. Overstocks are purchased like Target’s items moving into Ollie’s Bargain Outlets.
With such great deals just waiting to be found, this is the place to go BEFORE you spend those hard-earned dollars. I’m including just a few pictures of the virtual piles & stacks of items that would thrill even the most hard-to-please little boy or girl!
Mom’s, check out the houseware, toiletry, hair, dry goods and baking items! Oodles of
action figures, assorted dolls & games pack the isles. Most cost several times more at other stores. Here’s a great example:
My girlfriend had purchased 6 beautiful horse figurines beautifully packaged and rather high-end. She showed them to be in the trunk of her car, hidden until Christmas for her lil farmhand daughter. She paid $35 each. Later that day I was in Ollie’s in Lancaster County, Pa. There on a shelf were the very same horses!! They were $16 each!! I called my friend ASAP. She asked that I pick up each of the six and she’d return hers. A savings of $114. Not too shabby, HUH?
Most Dads will enjoy cool prices on paints, ropes, tarps, fishing supplies and Dickie work attire. And, although quite boring a gift to most, mom usually will sneak in new undies & socks, also available for the whole family at Ollie’s Bargain Outlet. So, happy hunting, save a buck and enjoy the holidays!
Join Ollie’s Army online or at the store for even greater deals and 20% coupons via mailings. For our Jersey Shore area folks:
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet
1256 Indian Head Rd.
Toms River 08755 Monday-Saturday 8 AM – 10 PM Sunday 9 AM-8 PM
(848)251-2203
For others:
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet
1043 US-9
Old Bridge 08857
(732)588-6202