Just weeks after the previous owner shut down Your Dollar Store with More in Prince Rupert, work is underway to re-open the business bigger than when it closed.
The store will be owned by Steve Mihalyi, who operates six other locations in northern BC, and the goal is to have the grand opening on June 8.
“We want to be unique, to think outside the box and do things other dollar stores don't. As our sign says, we're a dollar store with more,” he said.
“We're very community minded. This location has had great success in the past and we want to continue that success.”
The store will employ around six people, with hiring currently underway and some of the former staff being brought back. Already the top part of the old store, which was closed and made into a separate space for lease, has been reopened with a wheelchair ramp to make it more accessible and Mihalyi says the plan is to have that space be “party central” filled with everything people might need to host a party.
As for concerns about a new competitor, Dollarama, entering the market at the Rupert Square Mall, Mihalyi says it's not uncommon to have competition in a community.
“We're not afraid of competition, we want competition. Competition is good for business, it makes you better, and it's good for the customer,” he said.
“We're really excited to be back in the community and continuing to serve Prince Rupert going forward.”