Dollar General plans store in New London

New London continues to blossom.
The retail giant Dollar General plans to build near a convenience store and grocery on the northwest side of town.
Details are still being hammered out, but construction could begin early next year.
The project is the latest chapter in an aggressive effort to make the Ralls County community more attractive for businesses and provide options for residents.
“It’s going to be great for the community,” said Mayor Marvin Miller. “Not just for New London, but for the surrounding area, as well.”
Mary Jo Leonard, a florist who is vice president of the New London Community Betterment group, said the convenience factor will be one of Dollar General’s biggest appeals.
“It is absolutely wonderful,” Leonard said. “I think it will benefit the whole town.”
Chesterfield-based Shawnee National Properties is one of Dollar General’s preferred developers and is working on the New London project.
“I think it will make a good store,” said Pat Boehler, a Shawnee managing partner. “We’re looking positively upon it and we’re moving forward as quickly as we can. The need is there, and we hope to make it happen.”
The land purchase, a zoning change and plans for a sewer hookup still must be worked out. Other utilities are in place.
Boehler said the city has been “very cooperative.” Miller promised to do “everything possible to make the project work.”
Dollar General is a Tennessee-based company that operates more than 8,000 retail stores and groceries in 35 states, including more than 300 in Missouri.
The firm reported sales of $9.5 billion in 2007 and has 71,500 employees.
Other Dollar General stores in the region are located in Hannibal, Quincy, Palmyra, Monroe City, Louisiana, Bowling Green, Shelbina, Canton and Pittsfield, Ill.
The 9,014-square-foot New London store would be built along the north side of Business Route A just east of the Abel’s Quik Shop and Ruba’s General Store at U.S. 61.
The store would be just across the street from new lighting and sidewalks planned as part of the second phase of a citywide improvement project that began earlier this year.
Miller hopes the development will lead to interest in New London by other businesses. The city has several sites available.
Miller and Leonard agree that improvements take a lot of work and can’t happen overnight, but they’re glad to see the city making progress.
“I think things will pick up,” Miller said. “We have what we feel like we need to offer. We’ve got a good draw.”
“New London has got a lot to offer,” Leonard added. “It’s a good location and there’s always room for growth.”