Dollar General announced that it has purchased the stores in Mulberry (3500 Mulberry Highway 64 West) and Coal Hill (1531 East Highway 64).
“Dollar General is excited to add these locations to our existing store base. We look forward to the opportunity to better serve our customers in these communities by continuing to provide the convenience and value they expect from Dollar General,” said Dollar General’s chief executive officer Todd Vasos in a statement.
The Coal Hill location will be a new store for Dollar General, whereas the building in Mulberry is a relocation move.
The new locations will offer fresh meat and produce, as well as gasoline.
"I think it will help a lot with people jumping off the interstate, and with the gas pumps," Mulberry resident, Rebekah Crumpton said.
City leaders and residents said the Dollar General additions will not only help economically, but it will make it easier for them to get groceries and necessities.
"I'm glad that it was sold, and that it will be bigger, because it does help our economy," Crumpton said. "We don't have a lot going on. We call it 'they roll up the streets and nine or ten o'clock,' because we don't have a lot of things."
Mulberry Mayor, Gary Baxter said his office is also concerned with citizens having adequate transportation once the larger store in opened.
In a statement to 5NEWS, Baxter said:
"The city of Mulberry is pleased that the building previously occupied by Walmart Neighborhood Market will no longer be empty. City officials had no knowledge of the prospective buyers until just recently. According to news released from Dollar General this afternoon, the new store will offer fresh meat and produce. They will also have fuel. This is a new concept for Dollar General, so we will have to wait to see how close to a full service grocery this store will be.
We are concerned that a void will be left Downtown for our citizens who do not have adequate transportation once the new store is open and the other one is relocated. City officials will push to fill that void quickly, and will continue to work diligently to recruit a full service grocery store if the new store does not fill residents' needs.
We look forward to continuing our relationship with Dollar General and pray for the success of this store."
Coal Hill Mayor, Ronnie Garner released a statement saying:
"The city of Coal Hill is so excited and happy to know that Dollar General will be opening up a store in our community. It's been a long struggle since Walmart moved out, without a place to shop without driving 15 to 20 miles. We are overjoyed to see the building sell, and a store move back into town. Walmart doubled our economy in town, and I'm sure Dollar General will do the same. Thanks again."
Dollar General hopes to open the Mulberry location on Highway 64 by October.