I have shopped Dollar Tree, in all areas of the country, for some years and I cannot relate to the description of them, and other Dollar type stores, as being a scourage or blight on local communities. Only in recent years have they started carrying frozen produce and I can see an advantage to those who want something for lunch or one item needed that saves a trip to a grocery store. Also, Dollar Tree has been locating stores near Walmart, as does Aldis’s. Walmart, Dollar Tree, Aldie’s, a cluster that can save a bunch of dollars and keeps customers happy. The Dollar General stores have a related market and we are seeing them everywhere, rural and in areas where no other grocery stores or any other type of store is available. I think that these DG franchises are being oversold and not a good investment in the long run. For now, there is a need for quick trip and convenience stores and if that is where the public wants to shop they will continue to be built. I think this article is self serving and just another attempt to get govt money to subsidize areas that destroy commercial attempts to serve them with needed items, food, clothing, etc. It is hard to sympathize with those who destroy efforts to help them. They victimize themselves.
My sis lives in a little town in MI where the local grocery closed some years back. Every time they needed something. they had to drive at least 1/2 hour. Then the Dollar General opened. It really was a godsend for those people. Stuff they need at pries they can afford.