Butler County deals with influx of dollar stores
Last month, something happened that has come to be somewhat routine in Pennsylvania. On May 16, a new Dollar General “DG Market” opened, this one on Route 8 in Middlesex Township.
According to a representative from Dollar General, this was the company’s 25th store to open in Butler County since the first one — located on North Main Street in Butler, near the Penn Theater — opened in 1992.
Today, it’s hard to drive 5 miles without seeing a dollar store, whether it be Dollar General, Dollar Tree or Family Dollar. Combined, the three chains have 34 locations in Butler County, including a combination Dollar Tree/Family Dollar location in Chicora.
In some of these locations, a dollar store is the closest thing residents have to a grocery store without going out of their way.
In Portersville, for example, residents can choose from the Dollar General or Cal’s General Store, which has been serving the community since 1968, or travel to a Save-A-Lot in New Castle or Giant Eagle in Shenango Township, Lawrence County.
Middlesex Township has few other options for those looking for quick shopping or fresh food. The closest options for groceries are miles away, in Butler, Cranberry Township or Gibsonia.
Middlesex and Portersville are markets where dollar stores are able to thrive, whereas other, larger retailers such as Walmart, Target and Giant Eagle would be more reluctant to enter. Part of the reason for their rapid expansion is their business model.
“Dollar stores use a combination of bulk volume buying and purchasing lower quality inventory items that trigger discounts, and sometimes overseas items that are cheaper because of their low-quality nature and less labor costs,” said Jabari Jones, president of the West Philadelphia Corridor Collaborative.
Jones says that the proliferation of dollar stores in Pennsylvania is a sign of America’s economic climate more than anything.
“As inflation rises across the commonwealth, families have less disposable income,” Jones said. “When this happens — people are more willing to purchase generic, lower-quality items from dollar stores over more expensive counterparts.”
Some experts believe that the rise of the dollar store has led to negative consequences for the small communities they take root in.
Because dollar stores typically employ fewer than 10 people per location, that results in fewer jobs created for the community than a comparable independent grocery store.
Doug Sprankle, owner of Spankles Neighborhood Market, said he employs roughly 140 people between his three locations in Saxonburg, Kittanning and Leechburg.
“Most smaller hometown grocery stores employ anywhere from 20 to 40 people,” Sprankle said. “When a Dollar General comes in, they only employ three to five.”
To keep costs low and save on storage space, dollar stores typically do not carry fresh produce. Dollar General has built a number of DG Market stores, which do stock fresh produce, and the new Middlesex location is one of these. However, at most dollar stores, the only food options are processed and nonperishable.
“They sell only those profitable foods, which are shelf-stable, higher in calories, and lower in nutrients,” wrote Jerry Sabo on a Middlesex Township Facebook group. “They are not only a sign of poverty in an area, they are a cause.”
Furthermore, Sprankle contends that a dollar store is no replacement for a grocery store in terms of community outreach.
“They’re not doing all those things that smaller local businesses do,” Sprankle said. “Local support for nonprofits, youth sports teams, scholastic activities … all those things goes down dramatically.”
Despite everything, some residents still find reason to shop at dollar stores.
“I generally shop at least one of them once a week,” wrote Suzie Beyer Campbell. “Some of the deals are great.”
“I hate to admit it. but it has been a good addition for those of us up in Slate Lick,” wrote Jennifer Ann. “We are at DG more than I like to admit.”
While some residents are partial to shopping at dollar stores, or will do so once in a while, others steer clear of them.
“I personally don’t like to shop at dollar stores,” wrote Katie Conrad. “You won’t get me in there. It’s all plastic crap. I would rather buy food from local farmers’ markets or Fresh Thyme than a Dollar General.”
“I never shopped there and I don’t think I ever will, especially after the John Oliver segment,” wrote Lola Banks, referring to an episode of the HBO series “Last Week Tonight” that took aim at Dollar General’s impact on American business.
Of course, some residents don’t have much of a choice.
“In Freeport (Dollar General) was desperately needed after Freeport Foods closed,” wrote Heidi Powell, who moderates a Facebook group for residents of Buffalo Township and the Freeport Area School District. “I shop there a few times a week for quick or forgotten items. … Sadly, I think they are often understaffed, the store and especially the parking lot and the carts full of cardboard make the street look untidy.”
This story was updated at 3:29 p.m. June 10 to reflect that Cal’s General Store in Portersville sells groceries. A previous version of this story incorrectly said the closest option for groceries was New Castle.
