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Dollar Store is not closing |
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Wednesday, 14 February 2007 |
A recent story in the Great Falls Tribune business section created a minor stir in Conrad with a story that “Only One Dollar” stores there and in the surrounding area were closing down.
All of a sudden people in Conrad were wondering if that meant the “Super Dollar Store” located at 4 4th Ave. was going to lock up their doors.
Most emphatically, Kim Lettenga, the owner of the Super Dollar Store told the I-O on Friday, “We’re not going to close!”
The “other” store is a franchise operation and was founded in 1987 by Cary Goldstein and is based out of Boise.
He says competition and profit margin aren’t there for the 29 stores he has in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Oregon and it is a way to “avoid bankruptcy.”
 STAYING OPEN -- Kim Lettenga, owner of the Super Dollar Store, is not closing her business. A similar business in Great Falls will be closing down and some people thought the Super Dollar Store might be one of the area stores shutting down. I-O Photo by Buck Traxler
What has affected her business has been the price fluctuation of oil. Plastic items have a petroleum base as do some other items.
Also, a national chain, the Dollar Tree has caused some increased pressure.
She noted that they could buy inventory, probably for 25 cents and they don’t need the middleman. On the other hand, being an independent, she needs the middleman for goods and inventory.
Lettenga has had to raise prices slightly above one dollar on some of her stock, but when she explains why to her clients, “they understand,” she says.
A big part of her cliental are folks on a fixed income. “They can come in, for example, and get a card and little presents for $5. They can’t do that in Great Falls,” she says.
She has recently worked with the Port Authority on an inventory loan, which was a big help to her.
Shari Richter from the Conrad Area Chamber of Commerce commented, “That’s great to hear, the last thing we need is another empty store front building, not to mention the loss of a Chamber member.”
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