Pittsfield ZBA OKs Sign For Ollie's Discount Store
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city is closer to having another bargain store to shop at.
On Wednesday, the Zoning Board of Appeals granted a sign exemption for 457 Dalton Ave., the former Big Lots. The store will now be an Ollie's Bargain Basement, a company based in Harrisburg, Pa.
The store requested an exemption from sign ordinance requirements for a 114.2 square foot wall sign on a painted yellow wall in the front of the store. It is located on the top level of the Dalton Avenue Plaza.
Up to 100 square feet of signage is allowed in the business commercial zoning district and the ZBA can grant up to 150 square feet.
"We appreciate that," Jeff Rives, owner of East West Sign Group, said on behalf of the company after the approval.
"It will help the store be successful, and I think you'll find that your constituents will really enjoy it. It's a wonderful business model."
Big Lots filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2024, and Ollie's has been acquiring its former stores. Ollie's will now operate 63 former Big Lots, including the one in Pittsfield and another in Rutland, Vt. It operates about 568 stores in 31 states.
In terms of signage, Rives explained, "My client is not requesting anything more than what was there."
He described the "unique" entrance where the sign will be placed, which has a triangle overhang that blocks sunlight. The store will use yellow paint and an illuminated sign that says "Ollie’s, Good Stuff Cheap," for visibility, similar to Big Lots.
Rives said his Maryland-based company has done work for more than 250 Ollie’s stores over the last nine years.
The store is set back more than 400 feet from Dalton Avenue. ZBA members agreed that this was an appropriate request.
Tags: ZBA, discount store, signage,
