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Ollie’s Service recognized for community impact
from Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce - A look back at 2022, a look ahead to 2023
by Echo Press
More than 375 people attended the annual Business and Industrial Appreciation Day (BIAD) luncheon in October to honor the 2022 honoree – Ollie’s Service.
The BIAD award, which originated in 1984, is co-sponsored by the Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission and Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce with the purpose of saying “thank you for being a vital part of our community.”
Recipients are selected based on the following factors:
• Growth in number of employees and impact of the business on the job market.
• Increase in sales and/or unit volume –an indication of continued growth.
• Capital investment – an indication of commitment by the business to increase community capacity.
• Community contributions – evidence of the investment of time, skills and resources to assist in community-oriented projects.
Ollie’s Service first opened in 1955 and has been operated by three generations of the Anderson family – Ollie, Earl, and Jayme. It started as a car repair shop and has grown and changed many times through the years adding in sales and service for lawnmowers, snowblowers, snowmobiles, ATVs, personal watercraft, sport boats, pontoons, and motors, as well as numerous clothing and accessory items.
The business has received various honors through the years, including being named Bombardier’s ATV dealer of the nation in 2000.
In 2019, the company moved from its Broadway location to 111 Donna Avenue, which allowed more space for expansion. The company currently employs nearly 20 full and part-time people, who pride themselves on excellent customer service. Their business motto is “Where customers send their friends.”
The business and its employees support numerous community initiatives and nonprofits, including the Runestone Off-Road ATV Riders (ROAR), ROARed (the educational division of ROAR that provides ATV safety training), First Ever Spectacular Ride for Charity, Low Plans Drifters, Douglas County Fair Board, Douglas Area Trails Association (DATA), to name just a few.
