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Midtown convenience

Residents say Thursday's grand opening of a Family Dollar store is a most welcome sight.

By SHARON L. BOND
Published August 14, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - Family Dollar in Midtown had an eager crowd of shoppers waiting Thursday when grand opening ceremonies started at 1041 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. S.

Mayor Rick Baker praised the North Carolina chain for sticking with the city as it assembled land and decided on designs for the new store.

"They know what other folks are starting to find out," Baker said. "Folks in Midtown have money and are buying things. They would like to buy in their own community."

As if to underscore Baker's words, a woman in the back of the crowd yelled, "What time is the store going to open?"

It was a scorching day, but the people there were not just wanting to get out of the sun. They came ready to shop, some hoping to get in for a few minutes before heading to work.

Inell Johnson, 77, lives within walking distance. Usually someone will drive her, though.

"If I really want something, I can walk up here and get it," Johnson said.

Gladys Mccartha, 47, said she is within walking distance also. Before this store opened, she and her husband, Eugene Butler, 44, took the bus to the Family Dollar at Central Plaza.

"I'm going to wear it out every payday," Mccartha said.

Butler agreed: "I'll be the one toting the bags."

Both said the new store was a definite improvement to the neighborhood.

"We are thankful, very thankful," Mccartha said.

Midtown is a 5.5-square-mile area mostly south of Central Avenue. Most residents are African-American, and many are in the lower income bracket. The area lacks a lot of basic services, including a convenient chain grocery store, a retail post office and a bank.

SunTrust announced this month that it will build a full-service branch across the street from where a new shopping plaza is going up. Sweetbay Supermarket will anchor that shopping center, called Tangerine Plaza. Later this year, what was just a carrier station for the U.S. Postal Service will open a retail post office for residents.

Other improvements in Midtown in the past few years include a new health center, a Boys and Girls Club, an achievement center and a campus for St. Petersburg College.

Family Dollar sells housewares, home products, health and beauty aids, school supplies, small electronics, clothing, shoes, hardware and toys, among other things. The company said the new store is its 316th in Florida.

[Last modified August 14, 2005, 00:53:19]