Dollar Tree to open by end of the month

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

The new Dollar Tree store in Charles City will be open for business much sooner than expected, according to the discount retailer’s local management.

“We’re way ahead of schedule,” said Darret Hazlett, general manager of the local establishment. “I was surprised at how quickly the construction was done.”

Completion of the new building was initially planned for July, with the new store opening 45 to 60 days after that. Hazlett said that the building is already essentially completed, both inside and out, and the store will have a “soft opening” in late June, before the end of the month. Hazlett said that he wasn’t quite ready to put an exact date on that opening, but estimated it was two or three weeks away.

A “soft opening” means the Dollar Tree won’t make a formal announcement — they’ll just open the doors and let people come in and shop. Hazlett said that Dollar Tree will have a grand opening, with a ribbon-cutting, in early July. He hadn’t yet confirmed the exact date, but said it would be shortly after the Fourth of July holiday.

The new store is on the site of the former 3C Bistro restaurant, which closed last year.

Dollar Tree is an American chain of discount variety stores that sells items for $1 or less. The Fortune 500 corporation operates more than 14,000 stores in the continental United States and in Canada, according to the company website, dollartree.com.

Hazlett said he anticipates the Dollar Tree having a good relationship with Charles City.

“We’re excited to be here. It’s a beautiful store and a great area,” he said.

The store will be managed locally by Hazlett, who was on the site taking applications for employment Wednesday and Thursday this week, along with other members of the management team. According to a posted online job listing, the Dollar Tree is looking to hire people for store set-up help, as well as cashiers and stockers for its new Charles City store. He said that people he’s talked to are excited about the new business.

“From what I’ve heard from people, Charles City is going to be a great location,” he said.

Dollar Tree stores are owned by Dollar Tree Inc., with headquarters in Chesapeake, Virginia.