INLET BEACH — Does this community need a Dollar General Store?
More than 400 people have signed an online petition saying it does not.
There is another hard-copy petition circulating with even more signatures of those who want to block the chain discount store from Inlet Beach.
Resident Rod Wilson is opposed to the store.
"This is an important part of (U.S. Highway) 98. It’s part of the Scenic Corridor," he said. "A store has to be compatible and show there is a need."
Wilson doesn’t believe Dollar General has done either.
"Inlet Beach is in transition with new projects being built and substantial investments are being made in the area,” said Wilson, who added that there was another Dollar General 10 minutes away. “We need to be careful what we approve. A Dollar General is not compatible with the character of the area as it is evolving.”
Representatives of Dollar General commented by email:
"We are offering shoppers in Inlet beach a value alternative,” the email said. “Dollar General has a well-regarded reputation for exemplary corporate citizenship, and we intend to reinforce our long history of giving back to the communities served by our stores.
"This parcel of land where our proposed store will be located is commercially zoned. Dollar General has worked diligently to comply with local codes and building requirements in Inlet Beach and accommodate reasonable concerns.”
The project is set to come before Walton County’s Design Review Board in September.
Walton Sun Staff Writer Deborah Wheeler can be reached at 850-654-8443 or dwheeler@waltonsun.com. Follow her on Twitter @WaltonSunDeb.