I like to browse collectible stores, but unfortunately there seems to be a dearth of local places…read morethat have toys from the 90s and 2000s that I usually look for. So, Symbiote was such a lucky surprise! I didn't expect to find this figure here! I collect toys of this one specific character so I couldn't pass it up. They even gave me a small discount which was cool. Totally worth going to if you're a collector of more niche stuff, you never know what you might find. It might be the only place in the area that has a good selection from the timeframe I'm interested in.

Awesome customer service, and a great variety of collectibles. My kid loves looking at all the…read moredifferent toys, and I love seeing the toys from when I was a kid.

Good selection but a bit pricey. Was looking for HO gauge train equipment. They had the…read moretransformer I needed but it did not come with the 16 volt power supply it needed

I have visited this hobby shop more than any other for the past 30 years. It has stuck tenaciously…read moreto its downtown Reading location, which is both admirable and somewhat concerning. I suspect if it moved to the suburbs it would have more patronage, more room and could carry a broader range of supplies It generally has what I need, which is N scale model train supplies. As with most bricks and mortar hobby shops I have visited, the selection consists of the most obvious ready to run equipment, without the depth and breath of specialty goods available online. Prices are fair, without the steep discounts seen online, but without gouging. It seems to have a large selection of radio control airplanes, vehicles etc., and a good selection of plastic models. The owners are very knowledgeable however in all fields of the various hobbies.

Shame on me for not checking closer but this company has a no refund policy. Check out anything you…read moreintend to purchase before you pay. Don't listen to anything they say. Make them show you that their toys work or walk away. I'm stuck with .a useless hover craft because I didn't listen to my instincts. Don't make the same mistake.

Bridgett was very kind and welcoming she did an amazing job helping me find everything I need and…read morewas very informative about the Ollies discount card program!

The greater Reading metro area has two nice Ollie's? Yes, it does. This store is located in…read moreShillington Square Shopping Center, a shopping center with significant vaccines. The whole complex looks dated, but don't judge this location on it's looks from the outside. Inside of the store is nice, clean, organized, and well stocked. There were very few empty shelves. This Ollie's has one major issue: Store is WAY too small. There is nowhere near enough space between any of the aisles, with most being only one cart wide, making the shopping experience difficult. There is nowhere near enough queue space behind the registers. Ollie's needs to lease the vacant 13,000 sq ft storefront next door and expand into it. Overall, this could be a standout Ollie's if it had more space. Still worth a stop.

Barnes & Noble are currently the 'king' of the Big Box stores in the books and literature field…read more It's a great place to hang out for a bit. They have a wide assortment of new books. Plenty of journals, multimedia and other entertainment products as well. They also have a cafe in-store for patrons to rest at. My only gripe is that the workers there aren't exactly the nicest. I've been to this store many times and several of those visits including rude customer service and abject apathy.

Open floor plan is easy to navigate for all patrons, including in wheelchairs. There's an endless…read moreselection of options for everyone. It's not just for book readers. There's books and magazines of all genres, movies, games, toys, greeting cards, journals, a Starbucks to sit and relax in, a children's area, special events and so much more! Prices can be about average for most items, some in a higher price point and others (especially on sale) are great deals. It's best to price compare prior to hitting the registers. The layout can be altered frequently which makes it seem difficult to find specific items- but the staff is always there to support and provide guidance. I love that they will personally escort you through the maze of aisles directly to what you're looking for. They are knowledgeable and professional. My biggest complaint is the unkempt restrooms. The trash cans are frequently overflowing onto the floor and it's always advisable to check stalls for toilet paper availability as there are many times that it was necessary to find an alternate stall due to unkempt and poorly stocked stalls.

If I had to describe Ollie's, I would call it a warehouse style, discount, department store…read more A bit like a scaled down Walmart combined with a box hardware store that has products like flooring tile that you might not see at Walmart. There's bedding, some electronics, housewares, a pretty large book section, and a lot more. I found some great savings in the non-perishable food section. Probably can save between $2-$3 per item depending on what you need. That can really add up to big savings if you buy 10 or 20 items. One of the things that's a bit more interesting about Ollie's is their "as seen on TV" section that has a lot of discounted, fun and quirky items - such as a night light for inside your toilet bowl.

After being introduced to it on the other side of the state, it was fun to check out a local…read moreversion. I always look quickly through the book section and usually manage to come away with something. My only quibble is that the type of stickers they use really take some doing to come off of books, and often leave a mark. Otherwise, the deals are not as apparent as you're led to believe. A bit like the Costco model: a few big deals to bring you in, and everything else is regular-priced or higher. Don't get suckered...find your deal and get going.