Dollar General opens in Birnamwood

Dollar General’s new store at 472 U.S. Highway 45 in Birnamwood is open.

The store will celebrate its official grand opening Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m., with free prizes and special deals. Additionally, the first 50 adult shoppers will each receive a $10 gift card, and the first 200 shoppers will receive a tote bag with product samples.

“We’ve been very busy,” said Adam Owzarski, acting/assistant manager. “The community is very happy we’re here.”

Owzarski noted that there has been a steady stream of customers since the doors opened on Jan. 17.

Some items, such as milk and other dairy products, are selling more quickly than anticipated, he said.

Dollar General stores typically employ approximately six to 10 people. The Birnamwood store has five employees, including Owzarski, and might add a few more.

This is one of the newest Dollar General stores. Because of its convenient location on Highway 45, Owzarski anticipates the store will do as well or better than the Wittenberg store at 309 N. Genesee St.

“It’s a great addition to the community,” Birnamwood Village President Mike Sprague said.

Sprague said there’s been a need for a local grocery store since Backes Food Mart closed in November.

“People had to travel to get groceries,” he said.

“Most people from the Birnamwood area have already been in to check it out,” cashier Linda Rastl said.

She used to work at Backes grocery and said the new store has “helped fill some of the void when Backes closed down, but there’s no meat or produce.”

The Dollar Store chain offers national name brands and private brands of food, housewares, seasonal items, cleaning supplies, basic apparel and health and beauty products.

Seasonal products are displayed in the center of the store, and coolers are located in the front for convenience.

“Dollar General is committed to delivering a pleasant shopping experience that includes a convenient location, a wide assortment of merchandise and great prices on quality products,” said Dan Nieser, Dollar General’s senior vice president of real estate and store development.

Literacy and education are key areas of community outreach for the company.

Customers will find brochures and information about free literacy services, English classes and high school equivalency testing at all Dollar General cash registers.