Milestone Openings: AutoZone and Ollie’s

* AutoZone Inc. (Memphis) is motoring its way past opening its 8000th store. “Store number 8000 [in Murfreesboro, Tenn.] is not the finish line,” President and CEO, Customer Satisfaction Phil Daniele said in a news release. “It reflects nearly five decades of growth driven by staying true to our pledge and values, investing in our AutoZoners and remaining focused on serving customers—our greatest opportunities are still ahead.” The publicly held car-parts chain for individual and commercial customers launched in mid 1979, in Forrest City, Ark. Per its most recent store count, AutoZone had 6863 stores in the U.S., 1001 in Mexico and 167 in Brazil, for a total of 8031.

* Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings Inc. (Harrisburg, Pa.), will take the wraps off its 700th store on Sept. 24, in Maplewood, Minn. The seller of brand-name closeout merchandise and excess inventory, which was founded in 1982, says the landmark store reflects its ongoing efforts to grow its presence in the Midwest. (The publicly held chain’s three biggest markets are its home state of Pennsylvania (about 60 stores), followed by Texas (50) and Ohio (40).