RUSSELL – The Dollar General at 45 Blandford Stage Road, Route 20, directly across the street from the Russell State Police barracks, opened on Feb. 11 with no advance announcement, three weeks ahead of schedule. Nick Correia, store manager, said the store will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Correia, who came over from a Springfield location, said the opening was originally planned for March.  He said Dollar General delayed remodels due to COVID, and focused on building new stores instead.  He didn’t think there would be a grand opening, which usually happens on the first day, he said.

The store shelves were mostly full of items on opening day. Correia said he had been there since the Saturday before stocking shelves from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“In this area, people have been waiting,” Correia said, adding,  “One little boy came in with his mother and wanted to be the first customer. He had been waiting for months.”

Correia said Dollar General has home goods, apparel, seasonal items and food, describing it as a “mini Walmart.” They have a refrigerator and freezer section, and dry goods. He said they don’t yet have fresh fruit, vegetables and meat, which will be added later.

Opening day was slow for the first two hours, but gradually picked up as people saw the “Now Open” sign. Customers were telling Correia on opening day that they were excited to have something in this area, and not have to travel.

Gloria Farrell of Russell, who noticed the sign, agreed. “It will be the only general store in town in many years. I have been living in Russell 40 years and there has been no other general store. All of our general shopping has to be done in Westfield and beyond,” Farrell said.

“I believe it is in a perfect location [zoned for business] for access by residents of Chester, Huntington, and Blandford as well,” she added.

Asked whether Dollar General will be hiring at the Russell location, Correia said they are fully staffed at the moment. He said when it gets busier, they may hire. However, he said people can put in applications now, because they are always hiring at other locations.

Anyone interested in working for the retail outlet may apply for available positions online at www.dollargeneral.com/careers. Dollar General is one of America’s fastest-growing retailers with competitive wages and benefits, world-class training and development and career advancement opportunities, according to Angela Petkovic, public relations spokesperson for Dollar General Corporation.