DG Market is now open in Rocky Top
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Meats, dairy products and frozen foods have been stocked in the coolers at the new DG Market in Rocky Top, but fresh produce won’t arrive until Friday, store officials said Tuesday morning (April 4). - G Chambers Williams III
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The new DG Market is open now in the former Shop-Rite supermarket space in down- town Rocky Top. - G Chambers Williams III
Rocky Top’s new Dollar General Market quietly opened its doors last Wednesday morning in the former space of the Shop-Rite supermarket downtown.
The store’s so-called “soft opening” came without the promised fresh meats and produce that are meant to distinguish it from a regular Dollar General store, however.
A long row of coolers and freezers lining the east wall of the interior of the building was completely empty on Thursday, where fresh meats, vegetables, fruits and dairy products were to be stocked, along with frozen foods, including ice cream and prepared meals were intended to be displayed.
Store manager James Harris said the coolers and freezers were not working yet, and he was waiting for repair personnel to arrive to get them going.
But they were brought up and running over the weekend, and on Tuesday, there was fresh meat on hand, although no fresh vegetables or fruit yet. Dairy products were available, along with some frozen foods, including ice cream and frozen dinners.
A store employee said a truck was expected to arrive Friday with the fresh produce.
When all areas of the store are stocked, the DG Market will be the first full-service supermarket in Rocky Top since the Shop-Rite closed in late 2018.
There are 15 employees in the new store. Hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
The developer, JMB Investments of Knoxville, closed on the $457,000 purchase of the Shop-Rite building in early November 2022, and was issued a building permit by the city of Rocky Top for $886,850 in upgrades and improvements to the property last Nov. 22.
Raven Construction of Knoxville has been the contractor for the work on the 20,915 square-foot building.
Of the total space, 11,000 square feet will be used for the shopping area, with the rest of the space reserved for storage and future expansion, then-City Manager Michael Foster said in early March.
The current Dollar General store on Norris Freeway will remain open.
A DG Market differs from a regular Dollar General store by its much-larger size and being stocked as a full grocery store, including fresh fruits, vegetables and meats. DG Markets even have ads listing weekly specials like most supermarkets do.
More information about the DG Markets and their weekly specials may be found online at: dollargeneral.com/market.html.