Courtesy Image This is the rendering of the new Ollie’s Bargain Outlet store that will move into the former Neiman’s Family Market inside the Thunder Bay Shopping Center on U.S.-23 South. The rendering was included in a permit application to Alpena Township.

ALPENA — Alpena-area officials on Tuesday confirmed an Ollie’s Bargain Outlet store will move into the former Neiman’s Family Market inside the Thunder Bay Shopping Center on U.S.-23 South.

Local economic development officials say when the new retail store opens, it should provide a boost to Alpena’s southern corridor and help attract other businesses to that side of town.

Alpena Township Supervisor Nathan Skibbe said Tuesday that developers pulled a permit forthe placement of Ollie’s signage from the township.

Over the last week, there has been activity in the old grocery store.

Skibbe said as of now, he isn’t sure of the timeline for construction or when the new store could open, but he hopes to know more details soon. He said whenever the doors open, it will be good for the township, nearby businesses, and local consumers.

“It will be wonderful and a welcome addition to the southern corridor,” he said. “I hope it becomes a business anchor and helps draw in other businesses.”

For years, the south side of Alpena was the business hub. The Alpena Mall, Kmart, Peebles, J.C. Penny, and other retail stores lined U.S.-23, but all of them closed.

Skibbe and other economic development officials have worked for several years to drum up interest from developers for that area of town.

Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Director Mike Mahler said over the last six months, developers are expressing more interest in the southern portion of Alpena and more projects that are in the works.

Mahler said the addition of Ollie’s will only enhance the area and motivate developers to consider the south corridor.

“Moving something like Ollie’s into that location will breathe some life into the shopping center and beyond and it could increase interest in filling up the other vacant spaces and building around it,” Mahler said. “It is great for the community to see some life on the south side of town.”

Mahler said recently, Cops and Doughnuts moved from downtown Alpena to the south business district and utilizing The Drug Store to sell its products. He said a large daycare is open, and a developer is interested in opening a restaurant on that stretch of the highway.

Also, Mahler said, the former Peebles store could be used as Alpena’s headquarters for Michigan’s Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, commonly known as PACE.

“When all of that is considered, it should boost traffic in the area,” he said. “Right now, there is more interest in that area and that’s great and needed.”

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is an American discount and closeout retailer that features a selection of merchandise consisting of a variety of discounted household goods, apparel, pet supplies, kitchen supplies, and seasonal products. A majority of those items are unsold or overstocked merchandise purchased in bulk from other retailers, and sold at discounted prices. Some of the overstock and discontinued items come from stores such as Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, Kroger, and Costco.

Bob Young, owner of Young’s Appliances on U.S.-23 South, said the addition of Ollie’s is welcome and the store could open the door to further investment in that part of town.

Young, who is involved in the South Bay group’s effort to reinvigorate and spruce up the U.S.-23 South corridor, said signs point to things turning around.

“We invite worthy businesses out this way,” Young said. “We still need more retailers, a grocer, and food establishments. There are many viable locations still available. There are a lot of exciting things happening and the trend we are seeing is good.”