Update: Family Dollar Opening Scheduled for May
The chain retailer will be located at 5100 N. Florida Avenue in Seminole Height.
Before talk of a Walmart on Hillsborough Avenue divided opinions among residents in Seminole Heights, there was friction regarding the opening of another Family Dollar location.
While officials at the North Carolina-based chain initially estimated that the newest location at 5100 N. Florida Avenue would open during the first quarter, the most recent estimate is closer to summer.
"It's slated to open in May," said Bryn Winburn, spokeswoman for Family Dollar. "I don't want to pinpoint the date in case something changes."
Winburn said construction started at the Florida Avenue building in August of last year, and that the space is about 7,500 square feet.
Since workers broke ground at the site, members of the Seminole Heights community voiced both support and concerns about the desire to maintain the area's small business feel to Winburn.
"I've gotten a couple of positive emails from folks in the community who are excited about the store," she said. "I see that the negative comments are few and far between."
What do you think about the issue? Tell us in the comments.
See below for previous coverage:
- Do You Plan to Shop at Family Dollar When it Opens?
- Family Dollar Slated to Open in Early 2013; Business Owners Unfazed
- Latest Family Dollar Project Showing Signs of Life
Katafer Inflorida
9:32 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
I find it incredibly hard to believe they have gotten only a few negative comments, after half the neighborhood battled to keep them out. Their sign on Florida Ave. is garish, ridiculously huge, and could not be more out of place. I'm not shopping there - I hope others follow suit. Too bad Family Dollar didn't try to meet the feel of the area - things could have been a lot different.
Danielle Ferrari
1:20 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
I'm wouldn't shop there if my life depended on it and like Katafer, I hope we all stick to our guns and boycott Family Dollar. I've spoken with their corporate office several times only to be lied to repeatedly about how they'll "clean up their act." I've even had to call the city about piles of garbage in their other store's parking lot because FD refused to clean it up.
Camille C. Spencer
2:21 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Thanks for chiming in, everyone. Good points.
Sharon Short
9:39 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
While I respect the opinions expressed in the above comments, I look forward to shopping at the new Family Dollar. It is close by and, being a senior on a pension, I welcome the savings on the many BRAND named items that they carry. The building they occupy was in disrepair for a long time and is much improved now. I am hoping that they will keep the property clean and free of trash. I don't see it as competing with our neighborhood small businesses which I also support as I can. I am sure there are many other folks that will also shop there.
Shawn Hicks
9:01 am on Friday, March 22, 2013
Sharon, Part of the anger against Family Dollar is that they are known for not keeping up their properties. The Family Dollar across from Publix had been hit by a car and they left the damage covered by rotting plywood for months. The stucco coating on the metal building was sliding off. The landscaping was dead and weeds had taken over. Customers were driving over the landscaping into the residential area nearby, further damaging the property and creating problems for residents. Until the "No Family Dollar" campaign started, no complaint to the managers nor corporate headquarters was effective in fixing the problem. It was only the publicity that made any difference.
My personal experience with the Family Dollar on Nebraska near Hanna was that prices for many goods were higher than at Publix across the street. They lead with a few bargains, but take advantage of customers like yourself that do not want to travel farther or are unable to easily travel farther to more competitive stores.
I believe the bigger threat to Family Dollar will be the Walmart going in on Hillsborough avenue.