Ollie's Bargain Outlet — Local services in Port Charlotte

Ollie's is one of my favorite places to shop. You never know what you will find there. They carry everything from cheese puffs to shampoo and that still doesn't cover everything. There are aisles and aisles of products, many name brand for a fraction of the cost. I was there yesterday and found a Black and Decker Helix hand mixer for $16. I didn't buy it thinking it would be the same price elsewhere. WalMart had the exact same mixer just in different packaging and it cost $30. All that was different was the WalMart one had a see through section of its package that you could see the mixer paddles. Thats it. Ollie's has pretty much everything you'll ever need. They also have a loyalty program where you can earn rewards and qualify for discounts (Ollie's Army). I've been in their stores up and down the East Coast and in several States and I never get tired of looking. It can be overwhelming, but if you go in I seriously doubt you will leave empty handed. I generally go to buy kitchen supplies. Mixing bowls, baking pans, measuring devices. They carry a ton of stuff. The stores I've been in remind me of shopping a flea market minus the haggling. The staff is friendly and they usually have plenty of checkout lines open. They have a generous return policy considering they are a clearance store. I suggest checking your mail, as they typically send out a circular. Stop by one day and just browse. You'll be amazed at what you can find. Dont shop at WalMart for your next kitchen appliance. Check Ollie's. Want to read decorate your bedroom or bathroom? Ollie's. Need a toy for the kids? Ollie's. Get into a situation where you need a commercial grade meat slicer? Surely you've been there too. Well, get it at Ollie's....

A friend and I were just at this store (#268), this morning, and we saw that it had been restructured. So we walked further into the store and grabbed a few items. We were making our way to the registers from the books section and saw that by the register there was a sign that read "wait here". So, we did. There was no one behind us from any angle. Then, another customer comes from the other side. The cashier at the first register tells us that we have to walk towards the other side of the registers to form the line. The customer who was behind us told us not to worry and to go ahead. The cashier chose to totally ignore us and call on the customer behind us. That was totally uncalled for, especially if there was no one behind us when we first got there. We weren't familiar with the new structure of the register area. We left the cart with the merchandise to the side and spoke with a manager. All the manager said was that she understood and that she was sorry, then walked away. Shame on you Ollies for not teaching your associates and managers the importance of customer service and of empathy. Needless to say, I am never returning...

I recently visited Ollie’s Bargain Outlet and had one of the most humiliating experiences of my life. In a moment of dire need, I asked to use their bathroom, only to be denied because of their “cleaning routine.” Let me emphasize—I was in desperate need. Rather than offering a solution, they had the audacity to advise me to go to the Dollar Tree nearby.

It’s outrageous that a business catering to customers would deny a basic human necessity like access to a restroom. This isn’t just inconvenient; it’s disrespectful and dehumanizing. I was left scrambling, humiliated, and on the verge of a disaster that could have easily been avoided with a little compassion and common sense.

Ollie’s might offer discounts, but apparently, they’ve cut corners on empathy and decency. This experience left such a bitter taste in my mouth that I’m questioning if it’s even worth shopping here,...