Ollie’s Service opened its doors in 1955. Its original name was "Ray & Ollie’s Service." Ray Schultz and Oliver Anderson were partners. Ray eventually broke off from the business, and it became "Ollie’s Service," with Oliver as the sole proprietor. In 1972 Oliver’s oldest son, Earl, became his partner, and in 1983 Earl purchased Oliver’s half and became the sole proprietor.
It all started as a car service and repair shop. In 1967, Ollie’s Service started selling Allis-Chalmers and Snapper lawn mowers and snowblowers, and we even added Rupp snowmobiles. Ski-Doo was added in 1976. In 1984 we took on the Simplicity lawn mowers and blowers. In 1988 we were honored to be the 20th Sea-Doo dealer signed in the nation, and we are proud to be one of the pilot dealers. We have since added the Sea-Doo sport boats. In the year 2000 we were asked by Simplicity to become a Ferris Dealer. Ferris, Simplicity, and Snapper are all owned by the Briggs and Stratton Corp. that manufactures consumer and commercial mowers, now known as the Briggs and Stratton Yard Power Group. Ferris was the first with independent suspension. Also in 2000 we were honored to be Bombardier’s ATV dealer of the nation.
In 2007 we saw several changes around here. We purchased the Cell One building and property and totally remodeled that to add more showroom and parking. Earl was also asked to fly to San Diego to ride the new Spyder® three-wheel motorcycles from Can-Am (BRP). This new and exciting product was introduced by Jay Leno. We are now the biggest Can-Am (BRP) Spyder® dealer in the state for sales and service.. We also were asked to be a commercial Snapper dealer and flew to Munnsville, NY, in December to view that new product.
Earl heads up the sales department. He definitely relies on his assistant, Brad Noetzelman, who started at Ollie’s in June of 1994. Brad is also the head of the parts department. Earl’s wife, Sonya, is the accountant of the store. She has been a part of the business since 1970. She became full-time after their four kids were all off to school. She tries to keep all these guys in order, but it’s a tough job. From time to time she has had help in the office. The guys all have to help when needed; it’s kind of worked both ways.
We pride ourselves with our excellent service department, for we are still SERVICE ORIENTED. Earl and Sonya’s son Jayme, the Service Manager, became Vice President in 2007. Jayme has worked at the store off and on since he was young. He officially became an employee in February of 1995. Matt Klemm is his assistant service manager. He came to Ollie’s in May of 1999. Brett Erickson worked here on career day through school, then asked for a job that same summer of 2004. He is off to college in the winter months, but will return in the summer months. Reid Beilke also came to us the summer of 2004 and is in his second year of college and will also return to us in the summer months. Our son, Bryan, sometimes helps out during the summer months when school is out. He is an instructor at the Alexandria Technical College. After having twin boys, that time has been limited, so it's a good thing he had the two girls first. If you see Ollie around here, he is working on one of his many hobby projects.
Our third generation has now been selling to our third generation of customers. Our business motto is “Where customers send their friends.”
