Dollar General opens new store on Route 30 in Unity

Dollar General has opened a new store in Unity on Route 30 — becoming the retail chain’s third location along a 7-mile stretch of the highway.

The new store, located at the intersection of Smith’s Hill Road, is situated between plaza-based Dollar General stores at the Latrobe 30 Shoppes, farther east in Unity, and at the Eastgate Plaza in Hempfield, to the west.

Township supervisors approved the site plan for the new store in June. At the time, William Owen, representing developer PennTex Ventures, said the new store “was needed in the community, and we decided to bring it here.”

Construction began in November. The store opened on Jan. 27.

The store occupies 9,100 square feet, with 7,300 square feet of sales space, and features a “cultured block” facade. Smith’s Hill Road provides access for Route 30 motorists traveling in either direction. A separate entrance on Route 30 allows eastbound traffic to make only right turns in and out.

Traffic at the store hasn’t been a problem, Supervisor Mike O’Barto said.

“From a safety point of view, it’s easy to access,” he said.

Dollar General said the store will employ between six and 10 people, as needed.

As part of its protocols to help prevent the spread of covid-19, Dollar General requires all employees, customers and vendors to wear face coverings inside its stores. It also has installed clear barriers at checkouts and floor markings to encourage social distancing.

According to the company website, the new store will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

As of July 31, Dollar General was operating more than 16,700 stores in 46 states. The company claims that about 75% of Americans live within 5 miles of one of its locations.