Dollar General opens

By NATHAN LAMB | Milton Independent Staff Writer
mireporter@mac.com

Brian Townsend "Families Together Coordinator"

The Milton Dollar General doesn't sell bread just yet, but that's expected to change in the near future.

The store, located at 29 Middle Road (the old Milton Bowling Center) opened on Dec. 22, but its been something of a work-in-progress. Walking around the showroom, assistant store manager Tammie Trivento pointed out where a beverage cooler arrived the day before. There's also areas, like the bread rack and a cooler for frozen food, that are left open in anticipation of more stock being delivered.

“We're just waiting for the truck,” she said.

It's been a different story with customers, continued Trivento. She said word-of-mouth has brought a lot of people in already, and that reviews have been positive.

“People have been saying they've been waiting for the store to open,” she said. “They're happy Milton has one.”

Dollar General's intention to set-up shop in Milton was announced in September by the Mermelstein family, which retained ownership of the property after closing the bowling alley a couple of years back.

Based out of Tennessee, Dollar General operates over 8,000 stores nationwide and specializes in offering basic consumer goods at low prices. The company website claims to have pioneered the dollar-store concept in the mid-50s, and that roughly 30 percent of its merchandise remains $1 or less.

Stock at the Milton store includes cleaning supplies, hygiene/medicinal, toys, and basic clothing items. Overall, Trivento said low prices and wide variety are the keys to the store's appeal.

“People are amazed at how much stuff we carry,” she said.