Meet Donna Freeman, Owner of the Village Dollar Shoppe
October 19, 2009
Name a locally-owned store where you can buy quality merchandise and where nothing is priced over $5. In July of this past summer, Donna Freeman realized a lifelong dream and became a retail entrepreneur, opening the Village Dollar Shoppe on Meeting Street in West Columbia. After having spent the past several years as a lobbyist, Freeman decided to take her fate in her own hands and began thinking about what kind of a business she wanted to own. Ruling out a number of options that were not attractive to her, she finally settled on a unique retail idea: a locally-owned dollar store.
To my knowledge, offered Freeman, we are one of the few locally-owned and operated dollar stores in the city. With a big bay window overlooking Meeting Street and with tastefully done displays, it is definitely not your typical dollar store!
I had some retail experience so I knew that is what I wanted to do, says Freeman. Given the tough economic times and the fact that people always like to save money, I wanted to offer value: a quality product at a reasonable price. We offer everything that a regular franchise dollar store does – with better quality. Everything in the store is brand new.
Freeman brings a personal touch to the store by also offering low cost gift baskets generally priced between $10-15 and dependant on what merchandise a customer would choose. These have already proven popular with her customers and businesses looking for reasonably-priced gift ideas. As you walk into the store, the gift baskets are the first items you will notice on display.
Village Dollar Shoppe is a family affair; Freeman’s one employee is her son who acts in the capacity as assistant manager. You will receive friendly, local service that you just won’t find in larger national chains.
West Columbia, or Vista West as it is now known, offers a wealth of opportunities as far as location is concerned. We have lots of walk-in traffic, but we are also minutes from downtown and offer convenient parking, says Freeman. We are drawing traffic from downtown businesses, and people are very appreciative of our level of customer service. It helps create repeat traffic.
Located in 1,600 square feet of space, Freeman has aspirations of expanding the existing space, and would consider opening additional locations in and around Columbia if the business is successful.
The biggest challenge that Freeman has faced since opening the store is the hard work associated with getting the word out across town about the store.
I am a member of 2 women’s entrepreneur groups and our local chamber of commerce. I spend much of my time networking and delivering flyers and promotional emails to our customer base, says Freeman.
Looking for a great deal on quality merchandise from a local entrepreneur? Swing by 803 Meeting Street and check it out.
Visit http://villagedollarshop.homestead.com/
