In living up to its name, Coal Grove's newest business will try to help families get the most out of their dollars.

A Family Dollar store is scheduled to open in the spring of 2004 after an 8,000 square-foot building at the intersection of State Route 243 and U.S. 52 is completed, said Florence Stanley, spokesperson for Family Dollar Stores Inc.

"We found consumers there who are seeking good value, low prices, first-quality, basic merchandise for family and home needs, most of which is priced below $10," she said. "We are looking forward to providing these things to the people in Coal Grove."

Overall, the store will employ seven or eight full- and part-time employees. They will be hired locally and people can apply for interviews about two weeks before the store opens, she said.

The store will offer health and beauty aids, household goods, housewares, small electronics, school supplies, candy, snacks, food, toys, domestics, clothing and more.

Family Dollar Stores Inc. is a publicly-owned company that is traded on the New York stock exchange. It is headquartered in Matthews, N.C. The first store opened in 1959 but the company has grown to include 5,000 stores in 43 states, including 313 across Ohio.

In July 2002, J.W. Witten Investments, based out of Houston and Flatwoods, Ky., bought 15-plus acres of property in Coal Grove. However, only about four acres of the property is away from the right-of-way of the roads and the company is in the process of developing about one and a half acres, said Tony Coriell, chief financial officer for J.W. Witten Investments.

Site work began in May. Midwest Construction Services of Catlettsburg, Ky., is the construction manager for the project.

Actual construction on the Family Dollar building should begin within a few weeks. The investment company will seek another tenant or tenants that could use a 4,000

to 6,000 square foot building for retail space. A second building will be built after a tenant is identified, Coriell said.

"I think this will be a nice economic addition to the area," Coriell said. "That area seems to be building up."

Anyone interested in leasing a building can contact Coriell at (606) 836-9641.

Mayor Tom McKnight was excited about adding another new business to the village. New jobs and revenue will be a great benefit for the village, the mayor said in June when the announcement was made.

"We appreciate all the older businesses, but we always like to have new businesses," McKnight said. "It means progress in the village."