Discount stores are a hub for bargain shoppers and anyone looking for a bit of inflation relief. You can often get the same products you would at the grocery store for a few dollars less—or a comparable item that's just missing the familiar brand name. But now, certain discount stores are losing locations, leaving loyal customers in a tricky situation come May. Read on to find out where Dollar Tree and Dirt Cheap are shuttering stores, starting May 6.
READ THIS NEXT: Target Is Closing Multiple Locations, Starting May 13.
Dirt Cheap is closing roughly 20 stores.
Deutschlandreform / ShutterstockDirt Cheap, a regional discount store that operates in eight Southeastern states, is closing locations next month. According to radio station KFOX, Texas will be hit the hardest, as 13 stores are getting the boot "on or around May 6." The closures will leave Texas with just two Dirt Cheap locations, in Euless and Pasadena.
Per The Freebie Guy, on the store locator page, closing locations can be identified by the red siren emoji and text reading "STORE CLEARANCE SALE! LIMITED HOURS!" At the top of the page, the retailer also notes, "We have store clearances in select stores, look for the [siren emoji] below!"
According to the store locator page, in addition to the 13 stores in Texas, individual stores are closing in Louisiana (in Ville Platte) and Georgia (in Columbus). Alabama will lose two stores, in Enterprise and Mobile (near Mobile Regional Airport). And Arkansas is bidding adieu to two stores as well, in Blytheville and Hot Springs.
By The Freebie Guy's calculations, 19 stores are shuttering, with all locations anticipated to close by May 6.
Newsbreak reported that another location in Pensacola, Florida, is closing, too. However, on Dirt Cheap's store locator page, the Pensacola store on Davis Highway does not have the siren emoji, and is listed as having "Special March Hours for Stocking Great Deals! Closed Monday-Tuesday."
The closures are an attempt to help Dirt Cheap "grow profitably."
ShutterstockIn a statement to Best Life, Channel Control Merchants, which owns Dirt Cheap, said the closures are an attempt to optimize the company's profitability.
"We are always evaluating and optimizing our locations to better position the company for long-term growth while ensuring we bring a high-value experience to shoppers across our network of stores," the statement reads. "These changes will allow us to reposition ourselves to grow profitably. While we regret any impact these actions may have on our team members, we are offering individuals assistance as well as the ability to work in other locations to make the transition as smooth as possible."
A company spokesperson directed Best Life to the store locator tab to identify active stores, but didn't provide specific details on closing locations.
However, closures are seemingly part of an ongoing process, as four stores in Alabama closed just last month. In February, Alabama.com reported that four Dirt Cheap locations in Alabama—in Auburn, Brewton, Ozark, and Phoenix—would be closing on March 10.
All four locations are now "Permanently closed," according to Google, and they aren't listed on Dirt Cheap's store locator page.
Dollar Tree is losing a location, too.
ShutterstockIn May, residents in Laramie, Wyoming, will lose a Dollar Tree location, according to LaramieLive.com. The store located at 4037 Grand Ave B is slated to close on May 8, with May 7 as its last day open.
An unnamed employee at the store confirmed the closure to LawramieLive.com, adding that there are plans in the works for a new location. However, details about a new Dollar Tree store aren't yet available.
Best Life reached out to Dollar Tree for comment, and will update the story when we hear back.
Dollar Tree shuttered a store last month.
refrina / ShutterstockThe Dollar Tree at Willow Lawn shopping center in Richmond, Virginia, also recently closed, Richmond BizSense reported on March 30. A spokesperson for Federal Realty, which owns Willow Lawn, told the outlet that the store closed in mid-March. It had been a staple at the shopping center since 1995.
A new retailer was set to occupy the space, but a spokesperson declined to comment on which store would be moving in.
"We hope to be able to make that announcement over the coming months," Deirdre Johnson, senior vice president of asset management for Federal Realty, told Richmond BizSense.
