These Dollar Store devices are real technology bargains
The next time you go to your local dollar store, be sure to take a stroll through the electronics section.
USA TODAY
Dollar Tree immediately moved into the building at Jess Ranch Marketplace in Apple Valley that formerly housed a 99-cent store.
On Monday, the new Dollar Tree near Target on Bear Valley Road was bustling with customers buying Halloween decorations, party supplies, greeting cards, craft supplies, dinnerware, cleaning supplies, toys and snacks.
Dollar Tree is proud to offer a broad and exciting assortment of consumables, general merchandise and seasonal goods, including many national and regional brands.
Carol Murray’s shopping cart was mostly filled with storage boxes, artificial plants, candles and a bag of Halloween candy.
“I’m cleaning out my closet and decorating our guest room, but the candy is for me,” Murray laughed. “This bag will probably be gone by Labor Day.”
Murray was one of several clients who lived at nearby Jess Ranch or Del Webb Sunset City senior living communities in Apple Valley.
Businessman and customer John Francis told the Daily Press he was happy about Dollar Tree’s move into the old 99 Cents Only Store building.
“The last thing we need is vacant buildings,” says Francis, 67, who lives in Apple Valley. “Vacant buildings send the wrong message to potential business owners, developers and homeless people.”
Several customers, including Murray and Francis, expressed disappointment that the new Dollar Tree did not have a fresh produce section.
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“With fresh produce, Dollar Tree would be a one-stop shop for me,” says Mary Thomas, who lives in Hesperia.
Because Dollar Tree stores were often smaller than 99-cent-only stores, the new Dollar Tree had wider aisles and products were generously distributed throughout the building.
Dollar Tree takes over 99 Cents Only Stores
In April, California-based 99 Cents Only Stores filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and then began a process to sell its assets, including inventory, real estate and store leases.
At the time, an executive at the 99 Cents Only Store said “significant and ongoing challenges” facing the popular retailer would lead to the closure of all 371 stores, including several in the High Desert, the Daily Press reported.
By May, most of the 99-cent-only stores in the High Desert had closed, including six in Victor Valley and one in Barstow.
This month, Dollar Tree officials announced that the company had acquired the rights to use 170 leases for closed 99-cent-only stores in Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas.
The move meant dozens of closed 99-cent-only stores in Southern California, including the High Desert, could reopen as Dollar Tree stores.
The acquisition of the leases for the stores was completed in two transactions in May and approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, Dollar Tree officials said.
As part of the purchase, Dollar Tree also acquired the North American intellectual property of 99 Cents Only Stores, as well as select on-site furniture, fixtures and appliances.
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In the High Desert, there are four Dollar Tree stores in Victorville, four in Hesperia, two in Apple Valley, one in Barstow and one in Phelan.
Dollar Tree officials said they recently lowered the top price to $1.25 to continue offering customers all of their familiar products, as well as hundreds of new products, and to reinstate customer favorites.
Dollar Tree has more than 8,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada, the company reported.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
