LIMESTONE, Maine — Local Limestone shoppers were treated to gift cards, goodie bags, and a complimentary lunch during Dollar General’s Nov. 3 grand opening.
Limestone is the third central Aroostook community to receive a Dollar General, as the company came to Caribou last year and a Washburn store opened in late September.
The company is “committed to delivering a pleasant shopping experience that includes a convenient location, a wide assortment of merchandise and great prices on quality products,” Dollar General Senior Vice President of Real Estate and Store Development Dan Nieser stated in a press release.
He added that he hopes Limestone “area customers will enjoy shopping at Dollar General’s new location.”
Limestone resident Jon Poitras, who was one of many customers attending the grand opening on Saturday, said the store is a “great addition to the community.”
“The hours are great,” he said. “It’s open from 8 a.m. to 10 at night, so if you forget a gallon of milk for your cereal in the morning, you can go out and grab it at 9 o’clock at night.”
Poitras said he was particularly impressed with the store’s variety, which includes food, household products, electronics, and a holiday aisle for every occasion.
“There’s a huge selection,” he said, “and there’s a great spot in the back for kids’ school projects and school supplies. The store brings a lot of new products and convenience, the pricing is good, and there are a lot of items here that you used to have to run out of town to buy.”
Limestone Economic Development Coordinator Dennis McCartney said the new store is “just under 10,000 square feet,” and has a vertical layout as opposed to Washburn’s horizontal layout, though the offerings are the same.
“What’s good about this place is that they focus on brand names,” he said. “They have good prices on brand name items and also sell the essentials.”
McCartney formerly lived in Pennsylvania and said there was a Dollar General every ten miles in most areas, and sometimes they were only five miles apart in more densely populated regions. He said the company will “do that in their own way here.”
In terms of business, McCartney said Dollar General’s stock has skyrocketed since they added milk and cigarettes to their offerings, and that new stores are now applying for tobacco and liquor licenses as part of the company’s standard practice.
The corporate office indicated that the 87 Access Highway store would employ eight to ten people.
McCartney said many of the store’s current workers are based in Limestone, and that its close vicinity to the town will give young residents job opportunities and a chance to understand working as a team as well as to establish a work ethic.
“They do everything at this store,” he said. “They don’t just hire people to stock shelves, you’ll do everything from running the register and multitasking, which is a part of the new wave of working. It’s a great instructional experience for young people and we welcome it here.”
In terms of business, the economic development coordinator said he felt the presence of one national chain in Limestone is likely to bring more in the future. Limestone’s status as a border town also brings in business from Canadians who would typically come across and take the Access Highway to shop in Caribou.
Overall, McCartney said the store offers products for just about everyone.
“This is a store that appeals to all ages,” he said. “If you look around at the shoppers, there are people both young and old; there’s something for everybody here.”
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- A steady stream of customers shop at the new Limestone Dollar General during the Nov. 3 grand opening. (Chris Bouchard)
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- Limestone’s Dollar General Store offers roughly one third food products and two thirds variety products, with many local customers commenting on the store’s offerings and convenience.
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- Limestone’s Dollar General Store offers roughly one third food products and two thirds variety products, with many local customers commenting on the store’s offerings and convenience, during the grand opening on Nov. 3. (Chris Bouchard)
