NEW BEDFORD — Since closing in November 2022, many people have been wondering what will be replacing the former Walgreens store at the corner at Acushnet Avenue and Tarkiln Hill Road.
Now there's an answer: a Dollar Tree.
According to a sales representative for the discount retailer, they have confirmed plans to start building soon and predict to open by early 2024.
Dollar Tree is a discount store chain with locations all over the United States and Canada. Each item in the store sells for $1.25. Products range from grocery items, school supplies, crafts, cleaning supplies, greeting cards, wrapping paper, party supplies, health products, toys, seasonal decorations and much more.
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There are three other Dollar Tree locations in New Bedford located at 452 Mt. Pleasant St., 561 Orchard St. and 950 Kings Highway. There is also a Dollar General on Pleasant Street in downtown New Bedford.
The difference between Dollar Tree and Dollar General/Family Dollar?
Dollar Tree is a discount store chain that sells items for a flat rate of $1.25. Dollar General is a general merchandise store that sells products at discount prices, but they may not always be a flat rate of $1. Family Dollar is similar to the Dollar General in that it offers discounted products, often at lower prices than major retailers.
Why so many Dollar Trees?
According to USAToday, Dollar Tree, owner of Family Dollar, opened 464 new stores, relocated 120 stores and closed 205 stores in 2022. It also reported a 9% net sales increase of $7.72 billion.
Dollar General spokesperson Crystal Luce, in the USAToday article, said their stores are often sought to fill the gap in a time when the grocery industry is shifting. And while Dollar General is a general merchandise store, and not a grocery store, they have 3,000 stores that offer fresh produce, and will make that option available to 2,000 more stores in 2023.
However, in a report published by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, researchers said more than 70 cities and towns have already blocked new projects from chain dollar stores and 50 cities have enacted laws to limit the discount retailers' plans for expansion.
Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com. Follow him on twitter:@ChitwoodReports.Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Acushnet Avenue Walgreens to be replaced by a Dollar Tree