Featured image: DG Market located outside the gates on the east side of HSV. According to Board Director Mark Quinton, the DG Market proposed inside the gates will be a brick building.

There have been a lot of questions and some controversy over a new DG Market proposed to be built inside the “sanctity” of the Hot Springs Village gates. The flow of the conversation ranges greatly from total disagreement where it has been suggested to boycott the new store, to numerous statements supporting DG Market inside the Village gates. Much of the conversation seems to be that for the first time in many years, the east side is finally being served with a grocery store.

Is there a difference between DG Market and Dollar General stores?

Some of the controversy over the proposed DG Market seems to be around some confusion as to whether DG Market and Dollar General stores are the same. They are not the same.

In the words of Krazy Coupon Lady:

“Dollar General Markets are almost exactly like your regular Dollar General store, except for the fact that they’re twice the size and have a selection of fresh items like these:

  • Produce
  • Meat
  • Dairy products
  • Perishable foods”

“You’ll also find a decent-sized frozen section inside DG Markets.”

“The Market locations are about half the square footage of a typical grocery store, so they don’t offer quite as large of a selection. But they do bring fresh food items to neighborhoods that may not otherwise have access.”

Business Insider explained, “Dollar General operates about 19,000 stores in the US, 2,700 of which focus on fresh groceries. DG Markets stock produce, meat, and other foods that aren’t typically found in dollar stores.”

According to Andrea, content creator, and owner of the YouTube channel, Foodamentary: Adventures in Food, “If you’re not familiar with DG Market, it is Dollar General’s answer to a grocery store – so it’s half grocery store and half Dollar General… It’s kind of like a [smaller] super Walmart wrapped in one.”

DG Market: Dollar Generals Grocery Store / Fill-in Haul / My First Visit!”

In the words of the retailer, “Dollar General Market and DG Market formats offer expanded produce, refrigerated and frozen food offerings, dairy products, and more, in addition to an assortment of fresh meats, alongside the general merchandise customers trust Dollar General to provide.”

Our experience at the DG Market located outside HSV gates

Joe and I wandered over to check out the newly-opened DG Market located outside the gates on the east side of HSV (located between the Balboa Gate exit and the Danville Gate exit on Highway 5.) As expected for a new store, the merchandise was attractively displayed in an orderly and clean environment. You will not find the variety of options in a larger grocery store, but there are still many choices. The produce section was not stocked, but I assume this is because the store is new and the produce was not delivered. There was a variety of fresh and also processed meats, frozen foods, and dairy. Much of the offerings were the normal grocery store choices, but there did not appear to be “health foods” available. (Vitamins / supplements are available.) Possibly we missed the “health foods” section.

What brands can we expect to be stocked in the proposed DG Market?

Some of the brands available, but not limited to were Clorox, Energizer, Procter & Gamble, Hanes, Coca-Cola, Mars, Unilever, Nestle, Kimberly-Clark, Kellogg’s, General Mills, and PepsiCo. The store also offered brands which are unfamiliar to us. One brand that stood out was Clover Valley, a Dollar General private label brand, which features a selection of sauces, snacks, sides. condiments, entrees, and more.

Does the POA have any control over the businesses in the Village?

The POA has limited control over the types of businesses allowed to operate inside the Village but retains control of the property aesthetics. This aesthetic control is maintained through the Architectural Control Committee (ACC), Permitting and Inspections Department (P & I), and the Community Support Department (CS).

The ACC and the P&I are tasked with oversight of the initial build and landscaping. Anyone desiring to build inside the Village gates must submit a building permit, which is closely scrutinized by the ACC and P&I Department. The two entities also oversee the building process.

Community Support is in charge of ensuring all properties (residential and commercial) are maintained per the community standards outlined in the governing documents.

Additionally, the POA never owned the property where the DG Market is proposed to be located. The POA has no authority over who buys commercial or private property in the Village.

Will the DG Market serve those who are not inside the gates?

According to the Hot Springs Village Board of Directors, DG Market will not advertise to non-villagers and they have been told they must rely on customers located inside the gates.

Should we give DG Market a chance?

This is entirely up to the individual. Villagers have complained for years about the lack of grocery options on the East side of the Village. Is DG Market the answer to this dilemma? This question is yet to be answered and depends on the actions and service of the retailer and the community support it receives. Of course, the proposed DG Market is unlikely to be supported if the service and goods are not up to par. Time will tell.

For purposes of disclosure, I should be forthcoming and disclose that I am not a Dollar General or DG Market shopper. I am not loyal to the brands, but that is not to say I haven’t occasionally shopped in Dollar General. As far as a DG Market, I have not set foot inside one until yesterday. Most of the research for this article was conducted online.

We encourage polite debate and commenting. Please let us know what you think. Will you give the DG Market a chance?

To view images without captions, please click on the image.

By Cheryl Dowden; Photography by Joe Dowden