Dollar Deals
What is Dollar Deals? Dollar Deals is a dollar store that is located in the Dove Run Plaza (see pictures below) off Route 299, across from Middletown High School, in Middletown, DE.
Why is it mentioned here? There's a good reason for that! You see, early in 2004, Steve and Linda were looking for something different to do. After some research, they decided a dollar store would be a good business opportunity. Their research also brought them to the Middletown area (they already lived there). They put everything in motion and finally, on October 27, 2004, Linda resigned her position with her employer and will start to run Dollar Deals (the grand opening was November 20).
This is the logo that appears on the employee aprons. Speaking of employees, there are now four - one full time and three part time.
10/28/04 - On this Thursday, in the Middletown, Odessa, and Townsend (MOT) "Shopper's Guide" this ad appeared.
11/11/04 - On this Thursday, in the MOT "Shopper's Guide" this ad appeared. Also, this time, the ad appeared in The News Journal's Crossroads section (which is in Thursday's paper).
11/15/04 - Store "build-out" (erecting the shelves and fixtures, stocking, etc.) started. We visited the store that night (see pictures below).
11/20/04 - The store opened for business - the grand opening!! The 3,000 square foot store contains most items that a dollar store will. Though the store opened with a good amount of inventory, we've added a few things. Quite a few things.
12/09/04 - On this Thursday, an "advertorial" (a ad with a story) appeared in the Shopper's Guide and in The News Journal's Crossroads section. That ad generated a lot of sales and was well worth it.
12/20/04 - Even a couple weeks after the advertorial came out, customers are still saying that they saw the ad in the paper.
12/22/04 - Yeah - the sign has been installed!! People will really start to see us now. We had a banner up on the front of the store for the nearly five weeks the store has been open. It is nice that the store finally looks professional - on the outside, since it has always looked professional on the inside :-) . The "Grand Opening" signs in the windows will be coming down probably after Christmas.
Photo timeline:
10/16/04 The store in the middle under the green peak, facing out [it will eventually have a sign] Still the store in the middle under the green peak facing out 11/02/04 Inside under construction looking toward the front Inside under construction looking toward the rear 11/14/04 Inside toward the rear - with carpeting 11/16/04 They're really moving along now! We have cards! 11/19/04 A lot happened in three days! The last few boxes will be gone when we open in the morning. 11/20/04 Linda opening the store for the first time! (sorry about the reflection, but I was outside at the time).
(AVI file)12/01/04 A series of pictures of the store products - bags (okay, it's blurry - sorry - but you get the idea...). Picture frames, mugs, and clocks. Gel candles, decorative food in a bottle, glassware. Party supplies, toys. More toys. Hats, gloves, automotive. School and office supplies, crafts. Party supplies, food. Snack foods, candy. Christmas. Health, beauty, personal and oral hygene. Paper products. Baby, bath, socks. Hardware, pet. Silk flowers (and some items that have since been moved to more appropriate locations). Plastic storage. Cleaning items, decorative. Cleaning supplies. Kitchen items. 12/23/04 The sign is finally installed.
