ROCKINGHAM — Richmond County is getting a new Dollar General — sort of.
Construction is currently underway for a new retail store on the corner of County Home Road and Long Drive — across from FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital-Richmond.
According to DG public relations, the chain is relocating the store currently at 1300 E. Broad Avenue, in the shopping center next to Lowe’s Home Improvement.
The opening is currently scheduled for sometime this fall, however a spokesperson says “construction progress may alter this timeline.”
“Dollar General is always evaluating our stores and how to best serve our customers,” the spokesperson said in an email. “The new store will provide more space and a fresher layout, as well as the same products and prices our customers rely on. We look forward to continuing to serve customers in the new store.”
Rockingham Mayor John Hutchinson posted photos of the site on Facebook earlier this week.
According to Hutchison, “Each Rockingham Dollar General adds between $880,000 and $1,180,000 to our tax books.”
With the new store replacing a current location, the total number of Dollar Generals in the city limits remains at four, with the others being at U.S. 1 N U.S. 1 S and Greene Street. There is another on U.S. 1 at the intersection of Wiregrass Road.
The site for the new store formerly featured a nursing home, which closed and subsequently caught fire in January 2021.
Earlier this year, Norman Mayor Tonia Collins announced that a Dollar General would be coming to the county’s smallest northernmost municipality.
That store is also slated to open this fall.
There are currently two Dollar General stores within 10 miles of the small town: one in Ellerbe, the other in Candor.
In addition to the one in Ellerbe and five in the Rockigham area, there are also two in Hamlet: one on the corner of N.C. 177 and Spring Street; the other on the corner of N.C. 177 and Airport Road.
According to the DG corporate website, the company — founded in 1939 — has more than 19,000 stores in 47 states and employs more than 175,000 people.
Dollar General has other formats than its traditional retail store, including DG Market and pOpeshlf. The nearest pOpshelf stores, which offer most items at $5 or less, are in Albemarle, Monroe and Fayetteville.
Hutchinson told the RO that he gives thanks to C.F. Smith Property Group “for their work toward redevelopment and recruitment of new businesses.”
“They’re a very important part of the economy and should get a thank you every now and again,” Hutchinson continued. “Their work here is critical to us.”
The real estate development company — started in Richmond County but now headquartered in Pinehurst — has brought several new businesses to the area in recent years.
C.F. Smith’s Richmond Plaza has gained a few stores, including Bealls (formerly Burke’s Outlet), Planet Fitness and Tropical Smoothie Cafe, with Ross scheduled to open July 15.
A standalone building out front of the strip mall boasts Firehouse Subs, Verizon Wireless and Aspen Dental.
This year, three new businesses opened in C.F. Smith’s Broad Street Commons development: Starbucks, Jersey Mike’s and T-Mobile.
