If you have taken a trip to downtown Waterville lately, you have probably noticed the large bright red sign that reads “Ollie’s.” Located next to the Dollar Tree in the shopping plaza across from Alfond Commons, Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is a discount retailer offering great bargains with up to 70 percent off store items. The discount chain had its grand opening on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, and the store is now open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., as well as Sundays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wondering what you will find inside Ollie’s? The answer is just about a little bit of everything. Ollie’s is stocked with books, food, toys, electronics, home goods, bed and bath, clothing, furniture, flooring, seasonal items, cleaning supplies, hygiene products, hardware, and much more, making the store a one-stop shop for many things you may need at great prices.
One perk about Ollie’s is that you can find name-brand, everyday items at discounted prices, such as Dove shampoo/soap and Tide laundry detergents. Summer Woo `28 said, “Ollie’s had such an amazing selection of well-known brands at such an amazing cost. I was able to get Tide laundry detergent and dry shampoo for just under $15.”
Beyond their large selection of hygiene products, when going into the store I noticed they also had a lot of kitchen items. They had unique items like s’mores makers, but they also had pots and pans, coffee machines, and even Ninja appliances.
Also, if you forgot something for your dorm, Ollie’s was stocked with a large selection of rugs and furniture. While these items are sometimes more difficult to travel with when coming back to school, Ollie’s had a selection of these items at discounted prices.
Ollie’s also appears to be doing well in their opening month. Over the weekend, the line for the register was around the corner, and lots of people had carts full of items. While it was busy when I visited the store, this turnout also seems to not be a one-time thing. Peter, a worker at Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, said that the store has “been super busy since [they] opened.”
While the store has been busy and seems to be quite popular so far, Peter said that “a lot of people are looking for produce and cheaper cold foods,” but Ollie’s doesn’t sell anything refrigerated. “A lot of people were looking for cheaper [food] because Save-A-Lot was in here before, and they had discounted foods,” he said. “We don’t have a whole lot as far as food goes, but I think a lot of it is beneficial — a lot of people are looking for different stuff.”
Thus, while this Ollie’s location does not have a large food selection so far, they are better stocked with a lot of other useful items, such as cleaning supplies, hygiene products, and kitchen appliances.
So, if you need everyday essentials like shampoo, soap, laundry detergent, and even a Swiffer, Ollie’s is a great place to check out for everyday essentials at great prices. Plus, with their wide array of merchandise, you may even find more than what you came for.
~ Haley Hegarty `28
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