BUILDING BUSINESS

A national retailer is planning to open a new store in Thompson Falls. Family Dollar will open later this year on the east end of Thompson Falls, near Sweet Design Hair Salon and Lundgren Chiropractic.

Dollar Tree, Inc., the parent company of Family Dollar stores, has Family Dollar stores in Libby, Whitefish, Ronan and Kalispell. While the company did not comment on the new Thompson Falls store, construction is progressing on the 10,600 square foot building, said Todd Wakefield, who owns The Leufkens Company (TLC) with Bud and Judy Leufkens. TLC will own the building and Family Dollar has committed to a 10-year lease. Wakefield said that they will be done with construction by the end of July.

“Family Dollar approached us last year about the project,” Wakefield said, announcing the plans for the building at a Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce event last week. “I think it will be a positive thing for the community.

The company’s website states Family Dollar “offers a compelling assortment of merchandise for the whole family, ranging from household cleaners, brand-name foods, and health and beauty aids to toys, apparel and home fashions.” The website states that shoppers can find many items at $1 or less, and most items in the store are priced below $10, “which makes shopping fun without stretching the family budget.”

Wakefield said the Family Dollar stores he has visited had frozen meats and vegetables, groceries, clothing and household items. He said the Thompson Falls store will also have a section where everything is $10 or less. Wakefield stated that Family Dollar representatives told him Montana stores do well for the company, and that the company has more than 1,500 stores nationwide. The company will have five to eight employees.

Dollar Tree, Inc., reported a gross profit of $7.79 billion in 2020, a 10.6% increase over 2019. The company announced in March that it plans to open 600 new stores in 2021 and to renovate 1,250 existing stores.