EXCLUSIVE: Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, Royal Furniture coming to Skyland Boulevard

The two buildings being developed next to the new Planet Fitness gym on Skyland Boulevard will be home to an Ollie's Bargain Outlet and a Royal Furniture showroom, a property developer confirmed Wednesday.

The lot that once housed K-Mart is now owned by The Shopping Center Group, and Gary Pharo, one of the company's operating partners, said Wednesday afternoon that the relevant leases have been signed and he could confirm that Ollie's and Royal Furniture will become their tenants there.

Pharo could not give an opening date for either of the new-to-market businesses, but said they are expected to move into their buildings and begin stocking merchandise in the next 40-60 days.

Pharo also said his company is working with another entity to discuss developing an outparcel site in front of the three new businesses, but that he could not disclose the details of that possibility yet.

Ollie's is a retail chain that was founded in Pennsylvania in 1982 and first came to Alabama in 2014, when the company opened a store in Trussville. According to their website, Ollie's boasts more than 300 locations in 23 states.

Royal Furniture was founded in 1946 in Memphis and now has 14 showrooms in Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama. The Tuscaloosa location, when it opens on Skyland Boulevard, will be the 15th.