Dollar store design - any creative ideas?

[emcf1128]

In recent months, my community has received requests to build several new dollar stores, ie. Dollar General, Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, etc. The plans we receive are always the same generic box design. Although we have in place overlay districts that impose certain architectural standards for buildings, the bulk of the design creativity is up to the developer. Does anyone have any interesting, creative, unique examples of well-designed dollar stores in their community? I would sure love to see them!

Thanks,
Emily

[Suburb Repairman]

You are running up against some of the most stubborn retailers in terms of creativity. Dollar stores it seems by their very nature try to cut every corner they can to save capital costs.

Dollar General - typically freestanding structure and almost always new construction in my experience. VERY stubborn with their really boring designs.

Denver


I think somewhere in Florida (Tampa area?)


Family Dollar - For some reason they seem to love moving into existing buildings, particularly former banks & restaurants. But even in new construction they've proven to be a bit more flexible.

Charleston, SC


Tiffin, OH (not sure if this building started life as something else)


Dollar Tree - I've never seen a freestanding one. They seem to lean toward larger strip centers and Power Centers as a retail lease. I've never seen an example from them that didn't look exceptionally boring & "corporate"

[CanadaJimmy]

Although not technically a standalone "Dollar store", Daiso is a $2 store in the Aberdeen Centre Mall in Richmond, BC - they have a very colourful design, and occupy a huge chunk of the mall, 2 floors, 26,430 square feet. Being part of the mall, I presume this meant there was more capital available for a more elaborate and colourful design to the overall building. Daiso is the biggest store in the mall and inside of the store goes right up to the coloured glass - you can see the interior of the store when driving past.

Inside:

Outside:

[Hink]

Tiffin, OH (not sure if this building started life as something else)
Attachment 5204

That is a Walgreen's if I have ever seen one. Interesting re-use...

[mendelman]

That is a Walgreen's if I have ever seen one. Interesting re-use... Actually, it's likely a former CVS. We've got one just like it in my fair community.

[Random Traffic Guy]

I was about to say "good luck" but then I remembered this one I saw in Lancaster, TX. i don't know anything about Lancaster standards. Even the main sign is done in masonry... unfortunately the windows are the standard fugly.
Streetview link

[Hink]

Actually, it's likely a former CVS. We've got one just like it in my fair community.

Good call. And still odd.

[DetroitPlanner]

Actually, it's likely a former CVS. We've got one just like it in my fair community.

We've got old Rite-Aids that look like that. Regardless, it seems that Family Dollar has really taken advantage of how stupid the drug store war was. That could be a topic in itself!

Here is a Dollar Tree in a not so old Walgreens that is located near my parents:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=plymo...&cbp=12,0,,0,0