A new Ollie's Bargain Outlet opened its doors in Hannibal this week, moving into the former Big Lots space at Huck Finn Shopping Center and drawing crowds of holiday shoppers before noon. The store held its grand opening on Wednesday after a soft opening earlier in the week, and shelves of closeout merchandise were already busy with customers looking to get a jump on Christmas shopping.
Among those who made the trip were Dave and Laura Pritchart, who drove in from their home north of Clarence, Missouri, specifically to check out the new store, as reported by Hannibal.net. Dave Pritchart said he and his wife picked up early Christmas gifts for their grandchildren along with household items at prices they liked. The couple's visit reflects the kind of regional draw the chain is banking on as it expands into smaller Midwest markets.
A Familiar Discount Formula Comes to the Huck Finn Center
Ollie's Bargain Outlet stores sell closeout products sourced from other retailers, often at steep discounts, and the Hannibal location carries the same mix found across the chain: automotive supplies, dishware, clothing, bedding, toys and books. Eric Van Der Valk, president and CEO of Ollie's Bargain Outlet, said the company was excited to bring its mix of well-known brands, products and savings to Hannibal. He added that Ollie's sells affordable goods meant to help families stretch their money further, a pitch that resonates in the current retail climate.
The Hannibal store is not an isolated move. The chain opened a Quincy location less than two years before the Hannibal opening, putting two Ollie's stores within driving distance of each other in the tri-state region. Ollie's was founded in 1982 and has grown to more than 600 locations across 34 states, according to figures the company reported.
Part of a Record Year of Store Growth
The Hannibal opening comes as Ollie's pushes through an aggressive national expansion. According to Ollie's investor relations, the company operated 645 stores in 34 states as of January 31, 2026, and opened a record 86 stores during fiscal 2025. The retailer's buying model centers on closeout merchandise and excess inventory purchased from suppliers and manufacturers around the world, letting it offer brand-name goods at reduced prices.
That growth has continued into the fall. Ollie's opened stores across seven states in October, per a report from Fox Business, including four openings on Oct. 21 in Newark, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; Mattoon, Illinois; and Wilkesboro, North Carolina. A second North Carolina store followed in Asheboro on Oct. 22. The outlet's merchandise mix nationally ranges from household goods and electronics to food and toys, the same broad categories now stocked on Hannibal's shelves.
Store Hours for Hannibal Shoppers
The new Hannibal store is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays, giving local shoppers an extended window to browse ahead of the holiday season. With the store already filled with shoppers before noon on opening day, Hannibal appears to be embracing its newest discount retailer just as the holiday shopping season ramps up.
