Dollar General coming to Washington
Posted by Backroadsnews on Feb 23, 2010 in Uncategorized |
Dollar General has confirmed they will be opening a store in Washington. A new store will be built on land near the east edge of Washington, along the south side of Highway 36.
No construction timeline was known yet, but things seem to be moving forward quickly.
Good maybe we can get west end cleaned up next
Good maybe we can get west end cleaned up next
I hope this is true. Washington needs NEW and MORE opportunities! It would be great if things like a Taco Johns, Subway, etc moved here as well. We’re right along highway 36 and it would be a fantastic addition to Washington!! Everyone wants people to move back home and raise there families here so there needs to be more things brought here. If you build, they will come!
That’s great! I hope it doesn’t hurt Duckwall’s though. I would like a Wendy’s and a Sonic!!!!!
Duckwalls will take a big hit . I would say a big YES to a Windy’s .
As to the trash on each end of town well time for the county to get in on that but the city and county can even fix B st so I don’t think that the trash problem is going to get fixed .
opps teacher Wendy’s NOT Windy’s
Good News! Do you really think it will hurt Duckwalls that much? Or, will the increase in shoppers coming to Washington benifit all businesses? I don’t think a little competition is all bad. The more reasons for someone to shop at home the better.
There is the old argument often used for Wal-Mart that “the only thing worse than Wal-Mart in town, is Wal-Mart in the neighboring town.”
The same probably goes for this sort of thing, but I guess both the neighboring county seats already have Dollar General stores.
When the developer originally tried to bring Dollar General to Washington a few years ago as part of the free land program (which was essentially denied), he was wanting to build the building larger to potentially house another business or two if there was any interest.
So I guess there is the potential that this might be more than one business, but I haven’t heard anything on that possibilty.
I hope my employer during my high school years and a bit of college weathers the Dollar General storm. Would be a shame for another downtown business to close up shop.
I’m not sure people would be flocking from other towns just to hit a Dollar General, as can be the case with Walmart.
Dollar Generals in Tonganoxie and Baldwin also have Subways, etc., in their strip malls.
Where exactly on the east side of town?
Across the highway from House of Treasures.
I’m a bit surprised they would put a Dollar General here….since there is one in Belleville, Marysville and Clay Center, all very close to us. And then also Fairbury and Beatrice. Ok, so let’s talk more about Wendys!!!!!!
I think Dollar General tries to find smaller towns like Washington that are too small for a Wal-Mart, so in theory, Washington would be a natural fit for them. Whether or not our market can handle it remains to be seen.
Sounds great to have a Dollar General store coming in!! But hope that Duckwalls will stay open. That’s the thing about small towns!! We all want new business in here, but then we shut down the old businesses that have been here for 30 plus years. I don’t understand the wanting of such things as Wendy’s and Subway when we already have such businesses in town. We can put these in town and then put the small business owners out! I am happy to see Washington grow!!
These businesses in town that we “already” have dont have the best tract records on staying open and plus, when they charge you out the wazoo for there items, dont bank on them staying open. What the heck is wrong with more buisnesses? If Washington turns down every buisness that wants to come here, as they have done in the past, it will soon be a ghost town. PEOPLE IN WASHINGTON ARE AFRAID OF CHANGE!!
I have heard that towns that do get into the habit of turning down businesses (or making development difficult for them) if they compete with an existing business, eventually get labeled and it does affect future growth.
I can see both sides of the topic though.
I have competing businesses that come to town for radio advertising, or in-town businesses that do online classifieds… that sort of thing and I often wonder why people are so quick to jump to them when we’ve been here over 140 years.
But such is life in the free market and I think competition is a good thing – makes people continue to try to improve.
I agree Dan.
Sadly, there is no way in heck Duckwall’s will survive with the Dollar General in town. It would be nice to have the variety, but there are multiple reasons it just won’t work:
1- There are towns in the area that had Duckwall stores before Dollar General came to town. They coexisted for a while, but in each case the Duckwall’s ultimately closed.
2- As previously stated by others, there are Dollar Generals in every county this one touches. People from outlying communities will not come to Washington for Dollar General because the other county seat town with one is probably about the same distance away and more likely to have more other evening shopping/eating out options.
3- Washington is a not a employment-destination community. More people commute out to work than in. This would seem to limit the actual market for one five and dime (let alone two).
Ultimately, Duckwall’s has had a difficult time adapting with the times and have had very mixed success with their ALCO chain. I try to support them as much as I can because they are a Kansas company and one of the few places in Washington that understands most people work during the day, thus needing night hours to allow for working peoples’ patronage).
As a whole, I’m sure you’re probably right about Washington being a negative employment community (more commuters out than in) but I do find it fascinating that a large number of businesses in Washington are owned by people, including myself, who drive into town every day to their business.
I wonder what Washington would be like if all of these business owners actually lived in town. This is probably how it was a few decades ago, but for some reason, is not the case now. I doubt the same could be said about Marysville or Clay Center.
I wonder why these people choose not to live in Washington. (I for one have always dreamed of owning a five-acre ranchette and that is what we have six miles south of town.
the new store will hurt duckwalls but…..if locals would just continueing shopping at duckwalls instead of going to dollar store or walmart in the other towns then it will survive. it is amazing to me that people think they can save alot of money for a few items by driving 20-30 miles i guess they don’t figure mileage or their time. i for one appreciate duckwalls most of us grew up with nelda’s and ben franklins and they both did fine. and why is it a food place gets mentioned with the talk of new business. have you ever tried to a run a food business in a small town, offer what your customers request and then have those people hope for another food place. lets take a poll and see what is needed in washington. what you need to buy and try to get that business in here. believe me another cafe or fast food is not what washington needs. we have breakfast,burgers,fries,sub sandwiches, pizza,full meals and steak what else is there?????
We need a Wendy’s . I getting tired of driving to clay center for it .
What can you get at Wendys, that you can’t get at The Horn, Swirly Top, or Sale Barn Cafe? Don’t want to make anyone mad, just asking?
I often whine about my own advertising competition every time a school group goes around making another activities calendar or some other competitor pops up, but I feel even more sorry for the food establishments in any small town during these conversations.
Seems like any time any group wants to do a fundraiser, the first thing they think of is doing a fundraiser meal which does take revenue away from restaurants and convenience stores. Groups don’t say, let’s have a hardware sale… or an insurance sale… or a sale on haircuts – they serve meals or sell donuts or candy. That activity is part of our cultural history and I’m not suggesting changes, I’m just saying I feel bad for local restaurants, etc., because of it.
And then any time we talk about eco devo, people bring up new restaurants. I’ve always said it has to be difficult because most people always mention new food places as one of their top choices for development. I don’t think it is a slight against existing businesses, but I bet they take it that way. Unfortunately, people like variety and it is difficult for a restaurant to serve everything under the sun. (Of course I think Leon’s Chinese tastes pretty dang good!)
Anyway, Wendy’s? Yuck! Surely there are better options than that!
You can get a burger at Wendy’s that’s consistent, cooked completely, able to be enjoyed in a relatively clean and smoke-free environment, priced reasonably and available at most hours of the day every day. So, there’s that. Wendy’s isn’t my taste, but they like most chains have had the success they’ve had largely because the the things I’ve listed above.
You people wonder why people drive 20 to 30 minutes out of town to shop…THERE ARE MORE OPTIONS.
Thresher-2- As previously stated by others, there are Dollar Generals in every county this one touches. People from outlying communities will not come to Washington for Dollar General because the other county seat town with one is probably about the same distance away and more likely to have more other evening shopping/eating out options.
MY POINT EXACTLY.
People go where there are more options. Is Washington just supposed to set on there butts and not doing anything about it and pretty soon blow away because we are worried about making another business owner mad????? I dont feel bad for the people that complain because Washington doesnt have anything to offer, but yet when given the opportunity, they are worried about a penny in sales tax.
Oh and didnt Washington turn down Landolls? That was a good move huh!
Just asking — could one problem with people not shopping locally be a lack of advertising about everything available in the stores? I recently was telling a friend of mine (who has lived here for years) about some of the nice things that Duckwall’s, the drug store, and the hardware store have when I’m looking for gifts. She had no idea because she is in the habit of picking things up when she’s in larger stores in nearby towns.
How about a farm store on the west end and you r write about Landolls. (interesting) I believe that if u go to Duckwalls u would be surprised what is in there. If u shop at Duckwalls instead of dollar general maybe when they close we will have a community building.
So are we rooting for Dollar General to fail? Just because we have Duckwall’s already?
Uh, neither is locally owned and even though Duckwall’s profits stay in Kansas, they leave Washington County.
If you want to play that game, I’m surprised nobody is rooting for Duckwall’s to close since we can get similar merchandise at the two grocery stores, Healthmart, Zab’s, Washington Lumber… which are all locally owned.
We can either let competition continue, as is the American way, or shoot ourselves in the foot if we deny success to anyone who dares try something that is already kinda being done locally.
I like the idea of a Dollar General in town!! A possibility for more job oppurtunities!! I think a Farm Store would be great too!! I just have to laugh at the people who say they are paying too much money for food, beer, and other items here in Washington, but who are quick to drive to Manhattan and spend that much or more on the same items plus the gas to get there!! The businesses in Washington have to keep up with the times also!! Not every price can be kept the same!! If the electricty wouldn’t go up or the gas, or minimum wage then maybe the prices of our luxuries wouldn’t have to go up either.
Hey just another opinion from something I recently tried ice skating (I never skated in my life till I was 38), but I know a ice rink wont work but why not a roller rink somewhere down around the fair grounds perhaps or since everyone thinks duckwall’s will close why not there. I think that be a much better choice then more food places. We really need something for the kids of the area to do. Oh and Dan way to sell papers lol
Does anyone remember the ethanol plant or prison Landoll I even heard cloud county was wanting to be here but people didnt want the college kids because of drugs and alcohol hmm thinks thats here people. Landoll would bring trashy people. Hmmm alot trash around now i guess many people work there. A prison no way bring welfare families and prisoners might escape hmm people on welfare are here and dont people escape from our jail but you know people are just watching out for our better interest. Hey guys thanks but i think ill watch out for myself
I agree with “justanotheropinion”. I think we need to be a little more open to things rather than just guessing on what bad things MIGHT come to town if something comes.
Dan, Americans shot themselves in the foot a long time ago by purchasing chinese products. We drove our own US companies out of business or overseas. Duckwalls, Dollar General, Wal-Mart….same chinese garbage sold at all three. The main concern should be who will get new jobs and who might lose their current jobs. As far as Wendy’s goes…IMO I’d rather have a fresh grilled burger over a microwaved burger.
We definately need more stores in this country that sell American made goods!
Just received word that an August opening for the new Dollar General is expected.
Good luck decreasing the consumption of Chinese made products. Even with the obvious health/safety/quality control problems exhibited by Chinese goods, people buy them in ever increasing numbers. Sad, but it’s been coming a very long time.
An August opening sounds rather ambitious. I suppose there will be earthwork starting in March. Out of curiosity, I wonder how the non-business neighbors feel about the additional light/foot traffic coming their way? Did I hear correctly that zoning is coming to Washington?
i think dollar general is amzing but we need
we need a 50 cent general that would be better
It seems Dollar general closed 400 stores in 2007.
Gross profit margin for remaining stores is 30% of sales.
members of the private equity group that own it include Goldman sachs, citigroup etc.
More of a reason to not shop there….
When I worked at Duckwall’s, a customer asked where she could find plastic clothes hangers. I directed to the area and she asked how much they were.
“$1,” I replied.
“Oh, that’s OK, I can get them for 75 cents at Walmart.”
What a mentality. Sure hope she had more things on her list than clothes hangers at Walmart.
Thats so real Shawn!! It amazes me when I hear that!
It’s not that I don’t want Dollar General to come here, I really don’t care (I know that sounds bad, but I’m being 100% honest). I doubt that I’ll shop there because I feel like Dollar General carries junk. It’s like stuff that costs $1 and it’s still over-priced. I personally feel that Duckwalls is too expensive on a lot of their things but I still go there when I need something last minute or it’s not worth going out of town for. Basically, I don’t spend money on anything that isn’t a necessity these days anyways.
Dawn
Thresher,
I have heard more about zoning recently, but it has been on the drawing board for most of the 10 years I’ve been here and nothing has happened. But like I said, it is being talked about more these days.
I would love to see it happen and I think we are behind the times by not having it.
Funny how people only shop in town for last minute items or when its not worth going out of town for, but talk about how we need this and this and this to come into town.
Thats why businesses don’t last in small towns, they can’t make it on the last minute and not worth going out of town for: Sales.
I get aggrevated when I can’t buy something in town, but I keep checking with the local business before I go out of town for it. What people need to keep in mind is anytime there is a fundraiser, for year book, ball team, civic group, church group etc. the first places hit are the local businesses. We want them to help support our projects but can’t spend an extra couple of dollars to support them. The first person to drive out of town for a gallon of milk to save a buck, will bitch the loudest when they HAVE too, because they can’t get it in town.
When I say “it’s not worth driving out of town for” I’m talking about when I have to go buy a big item and I save purchases to do at the same time. Last time I looked, and I’m sure I’ll be corrected if I’m wrong, there isn’t any place here in town to purchase things like TV’s, higher end DVD players, new movies, etc. So, if I know I’m going to have to be going to buy something like that I may wait and purchase things that aren’t necessities at the same time, or things that I think I can’t get here. Other than that everything I purchase is purchased locally.
Dawn
Speaking of Duckwalls…Whatever happened to Mike for the embezzlement? How come NOBODY hardly said a word about this? Why is it that one person who embezzles gets talked about for weeks but another one can do it and there isnt a peep said about it. There was a tiny little article about it in the paper. That was it. (that i saw anyways) Any updates on it? Whats going to happen? I think THAT hurt the business more than anything.
I think it was settled out of court. We haven’t done a good job of covering court news the last couple years ever since we downsized our staff here at the office.
And the reason “one person” gets talked about for weeks, compared to Mike is because that case involved a public official embezzling money that ended up causing everyone in Morrowville to have higher taxes. The Duckwall’s act was internal to Duckwall’s only.
In my opinion.
Interesting debate. Haven’t checked out backroads for months; just thought I’d see what’s been discussed lately. I have some concern for Duckwalls, but at the same time I fear that a lot of our locals don’t patronize it anyway. They have the attitude that Shawn described where they choose to wait and get it at Wal-Mart….while they’re running to Marysville anyway to eat at Sonic, Taco Bell, Hardees, etc. Any excuse to get out of town to do something different. For me, convenience of saving time shopping locallly + helping retain the businesses that I want to be here when I retire is more important. If you want to save money on groceries all you have to do is stock up on specials in the weekly ads. And what I can’t get at grocery store I can get at Duckwalls or Health Mart…..many times with the option of name brand vs. generic prices. I figure what I save in time and fuel is worth more to me than saving a little per item at Wal-Mart. I admit there are times I’m driving through Marysville and do stop for certain office supplies, fresh produce, or clothing not readily available in Washington.
I don’t know much about Dollar General—whether they save you money or name brand items or whether it’s “junk” as one writer described. I stopped at the one in Marysville once at my mother-in-law’s request when I was driving her on errands. Looked around a little, but it seemed cluttered and disorganized. Maybe I was just there at a bad time. Stopped at the one in Belleville last summer while killing time between games at a ball tournament. Seemed organized and I picked up a couple of things in the health & beauty section. Nothing I couldn’t have bought in Washington for about the same price when fuel cost is factored in, but I was there and trying to pass time, so I shopped. I would think that Dollar General will likely catch some drive-thru traffic that is passing through on US-36….that is likely the goal of the developers more than worrying about if we locals will support it.
Yes, we can debate how businesses like Duckwalls, Caseys, etc. employ our locals but the profits go out of town, but you have to realize there are several local businesses not located on main street that have to derive their profits from out-of-county and out-of-state customers, but choose to try to spend within our community as much as possible. It probably all balances out.
I’m an optimist. I will continue to believe that more local options will help community IF we try to use them instead of going out of town for things we can buy here. Even if profits leave town, I will likely patronize Caseys, Dollar General, Duckwalls, etc. as long as they are giving jobs to locals, allowing them to continue to live in this rural area if they choose.
Very well said.