LINCOLN COUNTY, WV — Dollar General celebrated the grand opening of its newest West Virginia location Friday morning despite concerns from residents that the community may already have a Dollar General in that exact location.
The new store, officially designated Dollar General #28471-B, is located inside the existing Dollar General between the canned vegetables and the seasonal aisle.
Company officials said the expansion became necessary after a detailed market study revealed that some customers were being forced to walk nearly 40 feet before reaching another Dollar General.
“That is simply unacceptable,” regional development manager Dennis Caldwell said while cutting a yellow ribbon stretched across the laundry-detergent aisle. “Our mission is to make sure every American lives within a reasonable distance of affordable paper towels, off-brand cereal and at least six phone chargers that may or may not fit their phone.”
The new location occupies approximately 600 square feet and offers many of the same products available in the larger Dollar General surrounding it.
Shoppers entering the original store can access the new Dollar General by walking past the register, turning left at the motor oil and following signs reading ADDITIONAL DOLLAR GENERAL THIS WAY.
Local resident Sharon Bailey initially believed the second storefront was part of a remodeling project.
“I went in for cat food and somehow ended up inside another Dollar General,” Bailey said. “I bought two bags of chips, some aluminum foil and a decorative wooden sign that says ‘Bless This Mess.’ I still forgot the cat food.”
Company representatives emphasized that the two stores will operate independently.
Each location has its own manager, cash register and handwritten sign explaining that the restroom is temporarily unavailable.
Confusion began shortly after the grand opening when customers attempted to return merchandise purchased from the outside Dollar General to the inside Dollar General.
“We’re separate businesses,” an employee explained. “You’ll need to take that receipt about 25 feet back in the direction you came.”
County officials praised the development, saying it created three new jobs and eliminated the need to construct another metal building beside the highway.
Plans are already underway for a third location inside the new location if residents continue experiencing gaps in Dollar General coverage.
At press time, construction crews were reportedly surveying an unused section near the greeting cards.
The Holler Herald — West Virginia’s Least Reliable News Source
If it happens in the hills, we’ll probably report it. If it didn’t, check the Dollar General parking lot.
