WEBB — Dollar General hasn’t given up on Webb, Mississippi. Mayor Michael Pretz made the announcement Monday as the company confirmed plans to rebuild stores that were lost in a fire about four months ago.
“That’s what I wanted to hear,” Prez, who said he first learned of the rebuilding decision from the company’s district manager two weeks ago, said he requested and received final confirmation from Dollar General headquarters on Monday. Prior to that, the company was non-committal, saying only that a damage assessment was underway.
“That’s great!” Prez said. “Not only is the town of Webb looking forward to the store, [rebuilding], but so does the surrounding community. ”
When Dollar General Store No. 11352 caught fire on Sept. 30 and was subsequently ruled arson, locals questioned whether the discount store chain would fall prey to the town. , and 7 miles from Webb (Tutwiler).
The 9,014-square-foot Webstore building was extensively damaged in the fire. Removal work will be completed by mid-November.
A slab of concrete remained, and the familiar yellow-and-black Dollar General street sign had not been removed.
“From what I understand, they will be using the same footprint, but they will be upgrading their stores, including increasing the produce section,” said Plez.
The mayor said many people would benefit from the store’s return.
“It gives people an existing storefront so they don’t have to go out of town on the Web just to buy what they could buy here on the Web,” said Plez. “Instead of spending money on gas and car maintenance because they have to leave town, they can buy more here.”
In addition to increasing sales tax revenue for the town, the mayor said the store will also benefit students and staff at nearby West Tallahatchie High School.
“If a student needs something before school starts, they have the opportunity to walk over to Dollar General and get it,” he explained. It is also beneficial for
Plez said the district manager told him the store would be rebuilt between April and July, but company officials did not disclose the schedule.
Dollar General opened in Webb in April 2009.
