New Dollar General Store opens in Lehigh

Shoppers in Lehigh Acres have a new place to shop for everyday essentials at low prices. Dollar General has opened a new store at 2301 E 5th St. and is hosting a grand opening celebration Saturday, April 30 at 8 a.m., says spokeswoman Rebecca Sanders.

It had a soft opening at 6 p.m. on April 19. Construction on the new store began in April of this year. It sits back from the road with a large parking lot in front.

The store faces Joel Blvd. and is next to Jack’s Market, but to enter the parking lot, you must turn on E. 5th St.

At the grand opening event, customers will enjoy special deals and free prizes. The first 50 shoppers at the store will receive a $10 gift card and the first 200 shoppers will receive a Dollar General tote bag, among other giveaways.

The new store features a fresh layout, designed to make shopping simple for customers, Sanders said. Seasonal products are displayed in the center of the store, and departments are easily recognizable with visible signage. Coolers conveniently located at the front of the store.

Dollar General stores offer convenience and value to customers by providing a focused selection of national brands and private brands of food, housewares, seasonal items, cleaning supplies, basic apparel and health and beauty care products, Sanders said.

The store employs approximately six to 10 people.

Debbie Johnson is an assistant manager of the new Dollar General Store. The mananger, who is out of town this week is Nelson Locklean Photos by Mel Toadvine

Dollar General is deeply involved in the communities it serves and is an ardent supporter of literacy and education. At the cash register of every Dollar General store, customers interested in learning how to read, speak English or get their General Education Diploma (GED) can pick up a brochure with a postage-paid reply card that can be mailed in for a referral to a local organization that offers free literacy services, Sanders said. In

1993, the company founded the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, which has awarded more than $50 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 2.8 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy or continued education, Sanders said.

The manager of the store is Nelson Locklean. Debbie Jonson is an asstant manager.