Family Dollar, currently located at 4 E. Third St., will be packing up to relocate to 815 U.S. 54 Branch, which locals also know as 815 N. Bluff.
Family Dollar spokesperson Bryn Winburn stated in an email interview that the company needs a larger retail space to accommodate the expanded assortment of goods the new store will feature. To make this happen, they approached homeowners of the current residential properties in that space and made offers of purchase.
Because the properties are currently zoned as R2, which allows for single-family residences and duplexes, the city needed to rezone the area to a C1, which is a central business zone. According to Les Hudson, planning and protective services director for the city of Fulton, the change made sense as the area now has the same zoning designation as the contiguous properties occupied by O'Reilly Auto Parts and AutoZone.
Public comment periods on the zoning change brought no opposition from the community.
"At the public Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, there were three calls for anyone who wanted to speak for the change and three calls for anyone to speak against," said Hudson. "Only one person spoke, and that was to request that the plan look at the green space."
The individual - who owns rental properties in the area - wanted to make certain that ample trees and grass would remain in the neighborhood, he said.
The same option to speak was offered at Fulton City Council meetings. According to Hudson, property owners within 185 feet of the new business were sent registered letters informing them of the public hearings. All those letters were received and signed for.
According to Winburn, Family Dollar's goal is to open stores in communities to help serve the families in that immediate area. She said the new location is more centrally located to the town, making it more convenient for their customers.
"We look forward to serving new customers at this new location and becoming a good community partner," she said.
There is no specific date set for the impending move.