rt J.L Turner and Sons Wholesale store in Kentucky. In 1955 a new idea was born – the dollar store – and all the stores in their growing fold soon were converted and the Dollar General name was born. The company went public in 1968 and today it operates over 7550 stores in 30 states with morThey started out as a small, family owned retailer and gradually began to spread beyond its small town roots to towns across America. Along the way they changed the company’s name and quickly became known for offering low prices on a wide variety of items. Consumers flock to them and they are opening more stores annually in the US than any other retailer. I’m talking about Wal-Mart, right? No, Dollar General! Let’s take a closer look at another one of America’s retail success stories, the Dollar General Corporation.

J.L. Turner was a man toughened by life’s difficulties who founded what was later to become Dollar General with his son, Cal. At the age of 11, his father died and young J.L. soon found himself out of school and working to support his family. By the age of 17 he was married and operating a bridle shop with his wife. Later, he opened a country store but had to give that business up when prices dropped along with his profits. Soon thereafter he began to work for a dry goods wholesaler and, later, he bought and liquated bankrupt general stores during the Great Depression.

By 1939, J.L. and Cal decided to plunk down $5,000 each to start J.L Turner and Sons Wholesale store in Kentucky. In 1955 a new idea was born – the dollar store – and all the stores in their growing fold soon were converted and the Dollar General name was born. The company went public in 1968 and today it operates over 7550 stores in 30 states with more

opening more stores annually in the US than any other retailer. I’m talking about Wal-Mart, right? No, Dollar General! Let’s take a closer look at another one of America’s retail success stories, the Dollar General Corporation.

J.L. Turner was a man toughened by life’s difficulties who founded what was later to become Dollar General with his son, Cal. At the age of 11, his father died and young J.L. soon found himself out of school and working to support his family. By the age of 17 he was married and operating a bridle shop with his wife. Later, he opened a country store but had to give that business up when prices dropped along with his profits. Soon thereafter he began to work for a dry goods wholesaler and, later, he bought and liquated bankrupt general stores during the Great Depression.

By 1939, J.L. and Cal decided to plunk down $5,000 each to start J.L Turner and Sons Wholesale store in Kentucky. In 1955 a new idea was born – the dollar store – and all the stores in their growing fold soon were converted and the Dollar General name was born. The company went public in 1968 and today it operates over 7550 stores in 30 states with mor

founded what was later to become Dollar General with his son, Cal. At the age of 11, his father died and young J.L. soon found himself out of school and working to support his family. By the age of 17 he was married and operating a bridle shop with his wife. Later, he opened a country store but had to give that business up when prices dropped along with his profits. Soon thereafter he began to work for a dry goods wholesaler and, later, he bought and liquated bankrupt general stores during the Great Depression.

By 1939, J.L. and Cal decided to plunk down $5,000 each to start J.L Turner and Sons Wholesale store in Kentucky. In 1955 a new idea was born – the dollar store – and all the stores in their growing fold soon were converted and the Dollar General name was born. The company went public in 1968 and today it operates over 7550 stores in 30 states with mor

but had to give that business up when prices dropped along with his profits. Soon thereafter he began to work for a dry goods wholesaler and, later, he bought and liquated bankrupt general stores during the Great Depression.

By 1939, J.L. and Cal decided to plunk down $5,000 each to start J.L Turner and Sons Wholesale store in Kentucky. In 1955 a new idea was born – the dollar store – and all the stores in their growing fold soon were converted and the Dollar General name was born. The company went public in 1968 and today it operates over 7550 stores in 30 states with mor

rt J.L Turner and Sons Wholesale store in Kentucky. In 1955 a new idea was born – the dollar store – and all the stores in their growing fold soon were converted and the Dollar General name was born. The company went public in 1968 and today it operates over 7550 stores in 30 states with more than 700 added in 2004 alone.

So, what kind of items can you find at Dollar General? A good variety! The store reminds me of another retailer, now defunct -- Woolworth’s –- in that they carry a little bit of everything. Do you need greeting cards? Excellent quality cards are sold for the unheard of low price of 2 for $1. Seasonal items such as coolers, plastic benches, folding stools, flags, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, wind chimes, and more are on prominent display. Food items as well as personal care products are carried, many of which have the Dollar General name and have a pre-stamped price right on the product. No, they do not have a complete line of any product, just the bestsellers. Still, the variety is good.

Because Dollar General was founded exclusively as a dollar store, many of their items are still priced at a dollar or less. Fortunately, for consumers, they are not restricted by the ‘one dollar’ limit and other items of greater value are sold too. Do you need sunflower bird seed? $2 per bag. Do you want DG candy? 4 for $1. On a recent visit I made to my nearby Dollar General I noticed many summer items on display outside the