DOLLAR General has reached a huge milestone just days after a major city announced a crackdown on several locations.
A celebration was held for the grand opening of a new Dollar General location in Alice, Texas – this marks the brand’s 20,000th store.
“Today marks an incredible milestone in Dollar General’s history,” said Dollar General‘s executive vice president of store operations and development, Steve Deckard.
“From our first general store to today’s 20,000th store opening, our mission to serve others and help customers stretch their budget remains strong.
“We believe each store provides a positive impact in our hometowns through convenient access to affordable essentials, career growth opportunities for employees, and the ability for local nonprofits, schools, and libraries to advance through Dollar General Literacy Foundation grants.
“On behalf of the DG leadership team, I would like to share my gratitude to the entire DG family for its ongoing commitment to our customers and communities in helping us reach this milestone.”
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Senior leaders and vendors in the Alice area were present for the grand opening celebrations, which began around 9 am.
An official ribbon cutting took place and customers received a complimentary tote bag with several product samples.
A $20,000 reward was given to educational and tutoring programs through a $10,000 donation to Alicia Salinas Public Library and the Boys & Girls Club of Alice.
“I have full faith that its twenty thousandth store will be an uplifting force in Alice and beyond,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
“During this milestone celebration and hereafter, I encourage all Dollar General employees to feel pride in their work and to reflect upon the values that launched one of America’s most iconic companies.”
MAJOR CRACKDOWN
The news comes as a vote from the city council in Chicago, Illinois is expected to take place next week on a proposal to limit where certain dollar stores can open.
Several patrons have spoken up on maintenance and safety issues within the stores, however, others say they keep a much-needed retail presence in stores that have been abandoned by larger stores.
Matthew O’Shea, Alderman of the 19th ward in the city, is sponsoring the proposed legislation, which would prohibit dollar stores owned by the same company from opening within a mile of each other.
“I have outlined a wide variety of problems related to dollar stores and their operations and asked our attorneys to explore possible solutions,” he told Block Club in September.
“Dollar Tree is a bad operator that has been squeezing profits out of our community for years with little regard to the problems they create.”
However, a spokesperson for Dollar Tree, one of the retailers that would be affected by the crackdown, said the brand invests “in neighborhoods where other big box retailers are leaving, with locations in 46 wards.”
The Illinois Retail Merchants Association, Illinois Chamber of Commerce, and Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce also oppose the legislation.
