The first shoppers at Tarentum’s Family Dollar store liked what they saw Wednesday morning.
“I couldn’t wait for it to open,” Rochelle Bradshaw, of Tarentum, said. “It’s so convenient down here. I don’t have to go across the bridge and I don’t have to go up to Natrona Heights.”
Janet Montoy walked to the store at 140 W. Seventh Ave. from her home in the borough.
“I like it. I’m glad,” she said. “Tarentum finally has a store. We really needed it.”
Family Dollar unlocked its doors to the public at 8 a.m. Wednesday. The store will be open on Thanksgiving, according to the store manager.
Grand opening festivities are planned for Saturday, Dec. 1. It will include giveaways and prizes, including reusable shopping bags, cookies and a gift basket raffle. The first 50 customers on Saturday will get Family Dollar gift cards.
Stephanie Parkinson, of Tarentum, was among the first customers. She stopped for a cold coffee drink before going to work at the Pittsburgh Mills mall.
“I wanted to check it out,” she said. “I live close so it’s going to be a nice to come down here.”
The nearly 7,000-square-foot store has a wide array of merchandise, including clothing, food, cleaning and pet supplies, toys, and health and beauty items.
Ken Misjeka, who lives up the hill from the store, wanted to check it out so much he came down before having his morning coffee.
“It’s just a nice feeling. We have two little stores here now on the main drag,” he said, referring to Perriello Produce a few doors down. “I think it’s a big benefit to Tarentum, especially on this side of town with everything closing up and moving out.”
Montoy said she plans on Christmas shopping there.
“If I don’t need a lot I don’t want to go to those big stores,” she said. “This is easier. This is convenient and it’s closer.”
The store will also be a benefit to Tarentum residents who had relied on the now-closed Rite Aid, shoppers said.
“I think this is going to be a heavily used store for us,” Misjeka said. “This is perfect. It has everything you need around the house.
“I hope they do good,” he said. “It’s nice they’re here.”
Brian Rittmeyer is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Brian at 724-226-4701, brittmeyer@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BCRittmeyer.
