Concerned about big retail interest here

I read the recent Star news article appearing in the October 26th issue of the Star. It was reported, at the October 18th Grand Coulee City Council meeting, during the public comment period an attendee, Darryl Hackworth, spoke. Mr. Hackworth said he had been working with “Dollar General” regarding setting up a retail shop in Grand Coulee on property located on Federal Way, behind where it intersects with Midway Ave.

As an area resident, I personally feel the possibility of a Dollar General locating in Grand Coulee would be deleterious to our community. Why would the Grand Coulee City Council and the citizens of the Coulee area feel the need for or even want a Dollar General to operate in Grand Coulee?

We have the Coulee Wall Variety Store serving our area. This is a locally owned and operated business. The store’s motto is “We have everything Grand Coulee Dam area folks need.” I believe this to be true.

In addition to the above noted business, a Dollar General store would take customers away from other area businesses owned and operated by our friends and neighbors, stores such as Coulee Hardware, local grocery stores and even the Senior Citizen Thrift Store. Do you want to see these businesses forced to close or cut back on employees due to the reduction of business.

I encourage your readers to take a few minutes to do an online search of Dollar General customer and employee reviews. Also, look at the website for the “Institute for Local Self Reliance” at ILSR.org/Dollar-Store. Read their reviews of General Dollar stores and their impact on local communities.

A Dollar General would affect not only the city of Grand Coulee but the adjoining communities as well. If you feel as I do, please - share your feelings with the Grand Coulee City Council at council@gccitywa.org or attend a council meeting. The council meets every third Tuesday of each month.

I am in no way connected to any of these businesses. I am just a local concerned citizen.

Janis Heuvel