Dollar General now officially open in Aumsville
The Dollar General store in Aumsville is the latest in the national chain’s flock, which has been moving into the Mid-Valley throughout the year.
The Aumsville location, 430 Main St., had a soft opening on Nov. 15 and celebrated the official grand opening on Saturday, Dec. 2.
As is customary with Dollar General grand openings, the first 100 adult shoppers at the store received a $10 Dollar General gift card and the first 200 shoppers received a Dollar General tote bag with complimentary product samples. Other free prizes and special deals were also available.
“People seem to appreciate being able to buy things they couldn’t get without having to travel long distances,” City Administrator Ron Harding said. “That’s a good thing.
“From the city’s point of view, we want to see some commercial growth. Like a lot of smaller towns, we have a lot of residential growth but not the corresponding commercial growth. Plus, new businesses bring in other business and this will help us build up the commercial corridor.”
Harding does see some hesitation, however.
“Some people don’t like the change or don’t like certain businesses,” he added. “People need to understand that we set up the zoning and the rules but we don’t control which businesses come in. For example, people voted to not allow the marijuana industry in but you can’t say ‘I like this laundromat but not that one.’”
Dollar General is a self-described “small-box retailer,” selling a variety of goods from food to household supplies and basic apparel. Based in Goodlettsville, Tenn., the chain has over 12,500 stores. In 2015, the company decided to move into small towns in Maine, Rhode Island and Oregon.
It is not strictly a one-dollar outlet. The majority of products sold are priced above $1 and approximately 25% of the goods are $1 or less.
In addition to Aumsville, the most recent locations to open locally were Mill City on Sept. 16 and Jefferson on Oct. 28.
Dollar General company spokesperson Angela Petkovic explained that the company looks at demographic trends, traffic patterns, customers’ needs and convenience when choosing locations.
Many residents in Mill City and Jefferson had concerns about the effect on local small businesses when the company moved in but longtime Aumsville resident Ted Shepard sees it differently.
“I think business competition is good and that the availability of a wider selection of merchandise will save residents time and gas,” he said. “I have witnessed the parking lot quite full at times. With the existing population and future increase, I think there will be plenty of business for our local merchants.”
Ryan Sarai, manager of Aumsville’s Shop N Save, concurs and added, “It’s not really competition.
“It’s a good thing they came into town. They offer products that we don’t carry. For example, right now they have a lot of Christmas items that we don’t have. It just gives people more choices.”
Overall, Harding noted that people seem happy with the new business and says he has heard good things.
“I’ve been in there and I like it. They have a wide selection of goods in a small store and many people see that as a positive thing.”