The Dollar Barn

Tucked in the corner of the shopping center at the intersection of Castleberry and Bethelview Roads you will find . Do not let the tiny store front fool you. When you step inside the door you are at the tip of a very large pie-shaped sprawling store packed with merchandise. At first glance I knew this dollar store was unique. In disbelief I asked, “Is everything a dollar?” Sure enough with the exclusion of a couple of “boutique” tables in the back and some candy priced just slightly more than a dollar everything is in fact a dollar. The few exceptions are clearly marked so there are no surprises at the register.

The Dollar Barn opened its doors in September of 2010. Store owner, John Barrett says, “We wanted to build a family business. I love retail and so does my wife.”

After much research, thought and deliberation The Dollar Barn was born. “We use the same vendors and suppliers that the large retailers use we just don’t upcharge 500 percent,” says store manager and son, Anthony Frank.

Besides offering quality items for a buck they like to give back to Cumming. Most recently they sponsored the Varsity baseball and softball teams at West Forsyth. Over the holiday season they participated in the Christmas shop program for local elementary school students and actually donated part of the proceeds back to the PTA program. The Dollar Barn regularly makes donations to community churches and schools in the form of money and merchandise. In addition, teachers with a valid ID receive a 10 percent discount on all merchandise.

Customer service is taken seriously and sets them apart from the competition. Family owned and operated means the person behind the counter is always happy to see you and genuinely wants you to be a customer for life. E-mail (thedol@thedollarbarn.com) or call ahead (770-781-1200) and store owners, John and Yeran Barrett, will do whatever it takes to fill large orders or special order products for their customers. Yeran was helping a “regular” with a request for an additional 25 hula hoops. She offered to set them aside for her when their shipment came in at the end of the week.

This is the perfect store to stock your gift closet. By gift closet I mean those few little things to have on hand in case you need a quick gift. Or moms, the new toy you can break out in a pinch to keep the little ones occupied. New shipments come in at a minimum of every two weeks so inventory is constantly changing.

After exploring the store I couldn’t leave empty handed. A very well spent $25 later I felt like family. I plan on stopping in every couple of weeks to see what new treasures I can find.

Stop in and see the Barrett’s and tell them Cumming Patch sent you!