New Dollar General Looks to Bring 'Something Different'

Dollar General opened on February 18 at 8 South Ave. in the space formerly occupied by Drug Fair. Despite some outcry against the store's opening, Cranford residents now have another place to shop for toiletries, paper products, toys and food.

"I think we'll bring something different (to Cranford)," said manager Sabreen Wight. "We will bring great customer service and name brand products for cheap prices."

Most of the current Dollar General employees are from Roselle and Elizabeth, according to Wight, but she says the hiring process is not finished and she has received applications from Cranford residents.

Many Cranford residents and business owners were leery when it was first announced that Dollar General would be coming to town, but the store seems to have its share of supporters among those who live, work and shop in Cranford.

"It's better than an empty store," said Luis Perez, owner of Sofi's salon on North Ave. "It will bring people into town. Just because people buy dollar things doesn't mean they won't spend money elsewhere."

Patricia Warren, who works at Dunkin Donuts across the parking lot from Dollar General, thinks the store will have an immediate impact on her own business.

"We can use a discount store around here," she said. "(Dunkin Donuts) did a lot more business when Drug Fair was around."

Nicole Maron, a substitute art teacher for Cranford public schools, says Dollar General fills a much-needed niche in Cranford.

"With all the artsy, crafty people in Cranford, it's great," she said.

Arthur Hynes of Hynes Jewelers shares Maron's opinion.

"I don't know much about it, but hopefully it will help," he said. "It's good to see more retail coming in (to town)."

"I'm excited about (Dollar General)," said Jackie Nist of Linden Place. "It's going to have everything Drug Fair had, but cheaper."

Not everyone is convinced, though.

"It's a cheap store that shouldn't be opening," said Chris McDonough of Redford Avenue.  "I would have liked to see something like Trader Joes, something with name recognition."

The naysayers don't bother Wight. On the contrary, she was unaware of the controversy surrounding her store.

"I was under the impression we were more than welcome," she said.

Dollar General is a Tennessee-based publicly traded company. According to its Web site, the company has over 8,400 stores, did approximately $75 million in sales during the third quarter of 2009, and employs some 72,000 people.