Last updated on October 30th, 2024
Dollar General commemorated the grand opening of its 19,000th store Jan. 30 with a community celebration and $19,000 donation to a local elementary school in Joplin, Missouri. Customers also received complimentary company gift cards, tote bags and product samples.
“Today marks an exciting milestone in Dollar General’s history as we open our 19,000th store,” said Jeff Owen, Dollar General’s CEO.
“Since opening our first Missouri store in 1973, Dollar General has a longstanding history in the state and proudly employs more than 6,000 Missourians through our store, distribution center and DG Private Fleet. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the entire Dollar General family whose dedication to our customers helped us to reach this milestone. We look forward to continuing to serve the Joplin community.”
Dollar General donated $19,000 and 100 new books to Royal Heights Elementary School to support ongoing literacy and education programs.
“Joplin schools have been intentionally working to improve primarily literacy in the Joplin community,” said Breanna Faircloth, principal at Royal Heights Elementary. “We are extremely grateful for the Dollar General donation to further enhance these efforts, bringing us closer to achieving reading proficiency for all students.”
The company believes the addition of each new store provides positive economic benefits including additional access to affordable products for customers; the creation of new jobs and career development opportunities for employees; the generation of additional tax revenue; and the ability for local nonprofits, schools and libraries to apply for literacy and education grants through the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.
Dollar General was founded as a wholesale venture in 1939 by J.L. Turner and his son, Cal Turner Sr. The father and son duo opened the first Dollar General store in 1955 in Springfield, Kentucky.
Dollar General offers products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, housewares and seasonal items at everyday low prices in convenient neighborhood locations. It operated 18,818 stores in 47 states as of Oct. 28.
