By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
One of the largest and fastest-growing discount retailers has signed a deal that would see a location in Hays in 2022.
Ollie's Bargain Outlet Hays signed an agreement to lease space in the Big Creek Crossing shopping center, 2918 Vine, taking over the anchor store location on the north side of the facility that was home to Gordman's.
"They have a cult-like following, and they have really started an aggressive expansion," said Big Creek Crossing property manager James Younger. "They looked at the Hays market and they liked the Hays market."
Based on their interest, negotiations began and a deal has been signed.
"They are coming in the first quarter of 2022," Younger said. "There is going to be some renovation that is going to be taking place on the space."
"I'm pretty confident that it is going to fit in well," said Branson Hoffman, Big Creek Crossing marketing director. "You look at Stage. You look at Gordman's that used to be in there. You are looking at discounted retail. ...I think Ollie's is going to be the same thing."
"It's going to be exciting," Younger said. "Obviously, we have that construction period ... but it will be good. It will be opening with an additional down in Garden City Plaza in Garden City."
The openings in Hays and Garden City are only a small part of the company's plans, Hoffman said.
"These guys, I think they are careful. They are not going to just throw up left and right, but they are aggressive," he said. "They are popping up all over."
Ollie's stores typically feature simple layouts in a warehouse-style setting.
"That generates to consumer savings," Younger said.
The stores operate by buying discounted bulk items from other retailers, then selling those items to consumers at a discounted rate.
"The concept works," Hoffman said. "Look at Marshall's, Ross and all these other stores. The concept works."
He said the variety of merchandise also changes frequently.
"I think this will be an addition to the community and to this mall, specifically because when people want to go walk around and meander and just see what is available, this is it," Branson said. "This is where you go."
"It's a great store to look around and get things that you didn't even know you needed," Hoffman said.
With Ollie's, Younger said the shopping center is again nearly full, but like other retailers that have moved into the shopping center in recent years, Ollie's will be an exterior-only entrance.
And most stores that have left the center were due to corporate bankruptcies rather than local decisions.
"We're getting pretty low on available space," Younger said.