1 EXHIBIT 23 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-85994) of OfficeMax, Inc. of our report dated March 3, 1998 appearing on page 20 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 24, 1998. /s/ Price Waterhouse LLP PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP Cleveland, Ohio April 21, 1998