Family Dollar, Dollar Tree combo store in Berkeley unlike any other at Jersey Shore

BERKELEY - A new Family Dollar/Dollar Tree combination store is coming to Baywick Plaza on Route 9, the first of its kind in Ocean County.

The budget retailer, which already has a Dollar Tree store in the shopping center, is demolishing the wall to the space next door, a former 10,582-square-foot Rite Aid pharmacy. In its place, it will create a 21,642-square-foot Family Dollar/Dollar Tree store under one roof, according to retail commercial real estate brokerage R.J. Brunelli & Co. of Old Bridge.

The retailer's concept will make its Ocean County debut sometime later this summer, R.J. Brunelli said.

"Building on the success of both brands, we've brought Family Dollar and Dollar Tree together under one roof," a Dollar Tree spokesperson said. "We are thrilled to provide the Bayville community with a unique shopping experience that offers extreme value on everyday products, along with celebratory and seasonal items that our stores are best known for."

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In the Bayville Plaza lease, Danielle Brunelli, president and principal of R.J. Brunelli, represented the retailer. The landlord was represented by Shane Wierks of Jeffrey Realty. Other tenants in the center include RetroFitness and Goodwill.

Corporate parent Dollar Tree Inc. is in the midst of expanding its Family Dollar/Dollar Tree group of stores and expects to open 400 in 2022. Recently, Levin Management Corp., a North Plainfield-based commercial services firm, announced that Family Dollar/Dollar Tree is moving into a former Aldi location on Park Avenue in South Plainfield.

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The new combo stores pack the specialties of each in one store.

For instance, the Dollar Tree section will feature balloons, party supplies, Hallmark greeting cards, seasonal decorations and holiday gifts, crafting essentials and school necessities among other items.

The Family Dollar store will offer an expanded selection of frozen and refrigerated food, pantry items, beauty and health merchandise, household supplies, basic apparel, baby and toddler products, as well as pet food, electronics, toys and home decor.

Why combine?

Inflation and rising costs are putting pressure on families who are heading to bargain and dollar stores.

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"We expect that that that will continue the momentum" of more Family Dollar/Dollar Tree stores, said Ron DeLuca, chief executive officer of R.J. Brunelli & Co. "The economy is putting a strain on everyone and certainly those that are seeking bargains are finding these stores a place to get what they are seeking in terms of product usage and fulfilling their everyday needs."

David P. Willis, an award-winning business writer, has covered business and consumer news at the Asbury Park Press for more than 20 years. He writes APP.com's What's Going There column and can be reached at dwillis@gannettnj.com. Join his What's Going There page on Facebook for updates.