A subsidiary of the Dollar Tree, a bargain retail chain that sells everything from toys to toiletries, is slated to open next month on Roosevelt Road in a vacant building most recently occupied by a Hispanic grocery. Deals, which is a slightly more expensive version of the Dollar Tree, promises its customers the same general array of merchandise for a top price of $5.
“We think it’s going to be a good location,” a district manager for the Dollar Tree chain said. “Forest Park has done a lot of good things to bring retail back into that community.”
Deals will be located at 7711 Roosevelt Road in the single-story brick building that once housed the Super Mercado. Contractors are renovating the interior and expect to be finished in time for a late June opening. The Dollar Tree, which purchased the Deals chain several years ago, already operates a Deals store on North Avenue in Oak Park.
There are approximately 25 Deals stores located in the metro area.
“The Deals stores are much like the Dollar Tree,” according to the district manager, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “We’re not really interested in using the Dollar Tree name as a tag on. We’re trying to get the division to stand on its own.”
A Deals retailer is expected to open in Morton Grove this month, while another opened its doors in Waukegan roughly a week ago. Deals also opened a new store in Downers Grove in February.
Roosevelt Road is a busy four-lane state throughway that plays host to the village’s big box retailers. Wal-Mart, Ultra Foods and Old Country Buffet are among the retail giants that have opened there.
“The site is zoned for that use,” Village Administrator Mike Sturino said of the arrival of Deals. “The village doesn’t get into the hyper-regulation of the types of stores as long as the use is allowed under the zoning.”
According to the district manager, the Forest Park business will likely employ four full-time management positions and 15 to 20 part-time workers.
