New life is coming to Statesboro's very first shopping center, College Plaza at the corner of Zetterower Avenue and Fair Road. Ollie's Bargain Outlet has leased 29,000 square feet of retail space between 180 Fitness and Coconut Thai Cuisine in the plaza.
        Ollie's is a value-oriented retailer established in 1982 in Harrisburg, Pa. The corporate office remains in Harrisburg where they manage operations of the 235-store chain. Their niche is in purchasing brand name products from retailers and selling them to consumers at 30 to 70 percent off the retail price.
        "Statesboro makes sense for our growth strategy," said Jerry Altland, vice president of Real Estate for Ollie's. "The demographics are good and positive growth is projected. We currently operate stores in Hinesville and Dublin and hope to be in the Savannah market soon. We are projecting 15 to 20 percent growth in new stores annually."
        Shopping at Ollie's is much like a treasure hunt. If you see an item you like, you need to buy it because it probably won't be there the next time you visit. Ollie's is named after one of the original founders, Ollie Rosenberg. Ollie was in the military and everyone in the Harrisburg area knew Ollie, so it was a natural fit to brand it after him.
        For that reason, the store has military themed signage that pokes fun at themselves. One other market niche for Ollie's is their large supply of discounted books and floor covering. Those are two more ways they differentiate themselves from their competitors.
        Demolition and the build out has begun at College Plaza. They are hoping to open the store in August and will hire 45 to 55 associates. To learn more about career opportunities go to www.ollies.us/careers/ and watch the Statesboro Herald for job openings.
        According to local real estate broker, Wayne Groover who is the managing broker for College Plaza, the owners will refurbish the sign, upgrade the parking lot and enhance the exterior of the building in addition to the extensive buildout.
        College Plaza has 100,000 square feet of total leasable space. They are currently working with another potential large tenant and have seen a lot of interest in the center over the past few months.
        The plaza was developed in the late 60s on land owned by Lottie and Grady Johnson who also built and operated Statesboro's first Minute Mart - Johnson's Minute Mart - (where Zaxby's is now) on the property.
        The original developer had a 50-year ground lease and sold the plaza to Dr. James E. Chambers after the project was complete. Dr. Chamber's sons, Andrew and Don, inherited the center in 2005 after the death of their father. They purchased the land from the Johnson family in 2007. Andrew purchased Don's interest shortly after and operates it under College Plaza, LLC based in North Carolina.
        Ollie's Bargain Outlet will be a welcome addition to College Plaza and compliment the other businesses in the plaza. Statesboro shoppers love a bargain and this place will have plenty of bargains for them.