Dollar Tree discount chain set to open a third store in city
WOONSOCKET — The massive Dollar Tree discount chain will open its third store in the city around mid-November, say the operators of the shopping center where it will be located.
The new store will open at 401 Clinton St. in a space that used to be U-Save Liquors, according to Jun Zhang of 401 Clinton St. LLC, the owner of the parcel.
The 8,900-square-foot retail pad that used to be leased to the liquor store has been vacant for about three years. Zhang said his father, John Zhang, the lead principal of the real estate company was quite pleased to find a new tenant in Dollar Tree.
“He was absolutely excited when Dollar Tree decided to come here,” he said.
Zhang has been investing in city retail zones for about five years, according to Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt. He also owns Aero Trampoline in Walnut Hill Plaza, which took over part of a long-vacant anchor slot that used to be a Shaw’s Supermarket.
The city is working closely with 401 Clinton St. LLC to make the Zhangs’ experience with City Hall’s regulatory apparatus a positive one, the mayor says.
“He’s a serious investor who pays attention to details,” the mayor said during a recent tour of the Dollar Tree site. “You want to make certain they have a good experience, so that’s what we try to do.”
The new Dollar Tree will be located directly next door to a Family Dollar in the same shopping center, near Kennedy Manor.
The Family Dollar chain – itself a sprawling network of discount stores – was purchased by its bigger Dollar Tree competitor in 2014. Earlier this year, Dollar Tree announced it would close many Family Dollar locations.
But Zhang said he believes Dollar Tree will continue to operate both stores side-byside for the foreseeable future.
Both are discount stores, but their pitch is slightly different. Dollar Tree sells everything for a dollar or less. Shoppers can find merchandise at Family Dollar that usually costs no more than a few bucks.
Dollar Tree operates about 14,800 retail stores, and owns more than 6,700 Family Dollar locations.
There are also city Dollar Tree stores in Park Square and Diamond Hill Plaza.
In addition to the soon-tobe four Dollar Tree and Family Dollar locations, there is also another deep-discount store in the city with the word “dollar” in the name – Dollar General on Mendon Road.