Dollar store stakes a claim in Barnum

Sometime in winter 2024, the city of Barnum will be less of a food and retail desert than it is. Dollar General is moving onto Main Street, with construction already begun on a store which figures to include staples such

as milk.

While not a grocery store, Dollar General will fill a longtime void in a community that sees its residents travel to Moose Lake, Cloquet and beyond for merchandise such as cleaning supplies, health and beauty products, stationery, seasonal decorations, and some snacks and essential foods.

"People are very excited to have something in town where they can go grab a few things," said Kris Asperheim, city clerk and treasurer.

The city does feature a Lucky Seven General Store off the Interstate 35 exit. But it's a filling stations/convenience retailer, whereas Dollar General is one of the country's fastest growing retail chains with more than 19,000 stores in 47 states. Locally, Cromwell and Moose Lake are home to Dollar General stores.

"Our customers are at the center of all that we do, and meeting customers' needs is Dollar General's top priority when choosing store locations," the company said in response to a Pine Knot inquiry. "We further strive to provide convenience for customers who may not have affordable nearby retail options."

Headquartered in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, Dollar General was founded in 1939. Its expansion into Barnum will take place on a parcel of property that once belonged to neighboring Commercial Roofing.

The land, formerly the high school football field, sold in July for $133,000, according to a certificate of real estate value filed with the Minnesota Department of Revenue. The property split from Commercial Roofing was approved by the city in April, and site work began shortly after the closing of the sale. The store will feature 9,800 square feet of selling space, the company said.

The company confirmed it does not plan to include its fresh produce assortment in the Barnum store.

The store is planned to open next year in the winter, but the company said, "construction progress may alter this date."

Dollar General in Barnum will employ approximately six to 10 employees, the company said, and applications are now available online at dollargeneral.com/careers.

The community will also benefit from the company's largesse, as the Dollar General Literacy Foundation awards grants each year to nonprofit organizations, schools and libraries within a 15-mile radius of a store.

"Dollar General is deeply involved in the communities it serves and is an ardent supporter of literacy and education," the company said.

For now, the company has posted a billboard at the site, 3790 Main St.

Construction crews had blocked off street access last week in order to tie in utilities to the new site.

"They're moving fast," Asperheim said.