Pioneer Times photo/Joseph Cyr
HOULTON — A new addition to the Houlton shopping scene officially celebrated its grand opening Saturday morning with much fanfare.
Dollar Tree officially opened its doors to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The store held a soft opening on Thursday.
Karen Adams, district manager for Dollar Tree, said a lot of work went into getting the store ready for the public. Employees spent the past 10 days getting the business ready. The local store manager is Cassandra Bell and there are 25 total employees.
“We have been trying to come to Houlton for a number of years,” Adams said. “Our stores do very well because it’s a great niche.”
The Houlton store is now the third location in Aroostook County. Stores can also be found in Presque Isle and Caribou.
“Everything in the store is truly a dollar or less,” Adams said. “We have frozen foods, housewares, party supplies, health and beauty aids, as well as seasonal and holiday items, such as things for Easter.”
Dollar Tree is located in the former Sears location, adjacent to Dunn Furniture Company. Dollar Tree acquired the building, which was owned by the Dunn family for many years, last year and began extensive renovations. Those renovations prompted Sears to move across the street into the Houlton Shopping Plaza, into the former Positive Steps building.
As part of the renovations, the store cut into a portion of the Dunn Furniture Store, knocking out a wall for larger floor space.
Adams said Dollar Tree welcomes local community groups into the business for various fundraisers. On Saturday, the Ark Animal Sanctuary had a table set up for donations.
“What I really love is they are a great presence when people come off the Interstate,” said Jane Torres, executive director for the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce. “They did a great job with the facade out front. It is something we would like to see for the whole strip (mall) eventually.”
According to the company’s website, the Dollar Tree stores’ roots go back more than 60 years to a K.R. Perry and a Ben Franklin variety store in Wards Corner, Norfolk, Virginia, and to Macon Brock’s, Doug Perry’s (son of K.R. Perry), and Ray Compton’s adventure into $1 retailing. A highly successful concept was created using this single price point to build a national chain of stores.
“Dollar Tree, Inc. is a customer-oriented, value-driven variety store operating at a one dollar price point. We will operate profitably, empower our associates to share in its opportunities, rewards and successes; and deal with others in an honest and considerate way,” the website states. The company’s mission will be consistent with measured and profitable growth.
Torres said she hopes the rejuvenated mini mall will help lure more Canadian shoppers across the border in the future.
The new business was a welcomed addition to the town by those in the store Saturday.
“This is awesome for the community and it suits the needs for folks in our area,” said Lori Weston, who was at the store for Saturday’s ribbon-cutting.
Dollar Tree has 6,200 stores nationwide. The Houlton store is open Mondays through Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.dollartree.com or call 521-0310.
