Rainier is tentatively set to welcome its newest commercial store in the coming week.
Dollar General is located at the intersection of state Route 507 and Myers Street in Rainier, across the street from Wilkowski Park.
“Dollar General is excited to share that our new store in Rainier, WA at 401 Myers Street plans to open within the next week to welcome Thurston County customers,” stated an email from Dollar General Public Relations on Sept. 20. “At this time, we do not have a confirmed opening date, but feel free to check back for updates.”
Dollar General will be the first commercial shopping chain to open in the city.
The new shopping store’s site is around 9,100-square-feet, Rainier City Planner Jim Gibson said in a previous interview with the Nisqually Valley News.
Jen Willey, the store manager of the Rainier store, is excited to offer a new service to the Rainier community.
“It feels pretty nice (to open Dollar General) and I hope it really helps our community,” Willey said. “I put a post on Facebook promoting the store’s opening and that got a lot of feedback. I think Rainier is pretty excited for the opening.”
Willey said the store is aiming to be open by Friday, Sept. 23.
Tami Justice, with the City of Rainier, said she believes the store will provide residents of the city with a convenient option for shopping. Prior to the businesses opening, residents had to travel outside of the city for many of their household supplies.
“We are very excited to have Dollar General in our little town,” Justice said. “It will be a great benefit for our citizens and we’re excited to give them a warm welcome.”
According to the Dollar General’s corporate website, there are more than 18,000 different locations across 46 states. Rainier’s location is the most recent store opening in Washington state as the chain began to expand into Washington in 2020. The first Dollar General in the state opened in Wahkiakum County in 2020.
“Our stores deliver everyday low prices on items including food, snacks, health, and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, housewares, seasonal items, paper products and much more from America’s most-trusted brands and products, along with high-quality private brands,” states the Dollar General’s website.
Dollar General has a history of over 80 years, which began in Scottsville, Kentucky.
“Dollar General understands the unique needs of customers in rural areas and provides great values on products customers use and rely on every day in compact retail locations. In fact, 75% of our 18,000-plus stores serve communities with a population of 20,000 or less,” Dollar General Public Relations added in its email. “We are proud to be able to soon serve Rainier customers with the value and convenience they trust Dollar General to provide.
“At Dollar General, our mission is serving others and we live out this mission every day. Dollar General believes the addition of each new store provides positive economic benefits including additional access to affordable products for customers; the creation of new jobs for local residents and career development opportunities for our employees; the generation of additional tax revenue for the city; and the ability for local nonprofits, schools and libraries to apply for literacy and education grants through the Dollar General Literacy Foundation,” the email read. “We look forward to serving as a positive business partner and good community neighbor to the Rainier community.”
