Dayton Family Dollar Store to Close, Neighbors Concerned About Impact on the Community

 A Family Dollar store on North Main Street in Dayton is set to close later this month, a move that some local residents say will further limit the area's already scarce shopping options.

Located at 1130 N. Main St., near Helena Street and about a mile north of downtown, the store will shut its doors on Nov. 23. This week, customers can purchase items at a 20% discount, with sales increasing to 30% next week and 40% in the final week of operation.

Victoria McNeal, president of the Riverdale Neighborhood Association, expressed her concerns, stating, “I think it will be a tremendous loss not just for Riverdale, but for adjacent neighborhoods as well.”

Several shoppers shared their frustration with the closure, citing ongoing issues with shoplifting, which they believe contributed to the store’s shutdown. One employee confirmed that theft had severely impacted the store's profit margins.

This closure follows a similar one earlier this year in northwest Dayton, marking part of a broader trend of retail chain closures as businesses struggle in the current retail environment.

Karen Caudill, 55, a regular customer, shared her disappointment, emphasizing how much she values the store for its great deals and variety. On a recent visit, she bought six pet bandanas for just $1.65. Caudill also mentioned that the Family Dollar on North Main is the only place in Dayton where she can find her favorite Tangy Pickle Doritos. Her daughter, Amanda Sizemore, 37, noted that Family Dollar offers better prices than other dollar stores and big-box retailers like Walmart.

Caudill, whose daughter lives nearby, said her family frequently shops there for food, drinks, baby items, and household essentials. “I hate it for my kids and my grandkids, because they shop here a lot,” she said.

McNeal, who had hoped for the store’s recovery, expressed her disappointment. She acknowledged the store had faced challenges with theft, staffing, and cleanliness, but said foot traffic seemed steady. A store clerk mentioned that the closure was mainly due to the financial losses from theft. “They were good for a long time,” McNeal said.

Family Dollar’s parent company, Dollar Tree, announced earlier this year that it would close hundreds of Family Dollar locations. A store in northwest Dayton, at 440 N. James H. McGee Blvd., shut down several months ago.

Ohio is home to more than 400 Family Dollar stores, including about 25 in Montgomery County. However, many large retail chains, like Rite Aid, have also struggled, with the latter recently announcing the closure of all its Ohio locations.