NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The Family Dollar on Church Street in Norfolk has reopened after a fire in September 2022 damaged the variety store.
Family Dollar held a grand reopening at the 720 Church St. location on Saturday, March 2, with a prize wheel, a DJ, face painting from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The store’s hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
The store has been modernized with a additional freezer space, extra merchandise options and more.
“We were heartbroken when a fire destroyed our Church Street Family Dollar,” said Shariff Hassan, Zone Vice President, Family Dollar. “This location provides essential resources for members of the community, we’re proud to be re-opening and can’t wait to welcome our neighbors back this weekend.”
“We recognize the impact we made not having us here, we’re just excited to be back,” adds Hassan.
The store was for many the only source of food in walking distance for the community at the time of the fire, which was believed to be intentionally set. That prompted the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore to jump in with emergency food distribution events and a food pantry at the site.
Family Dollar says it recently donated $25,000 to the Foodbank, and matched all contributions in the month of December.
“I prayed… so the store will be open for us,” said Deborah B. Gallop.
Meanwhile advocates and city officials are still trying to get a grocery store to come to the greater St. Paul’s area after a Save-A-Lot closed at the Church Street Shopping Center in 2020.
The city in coordination with the Urban League of Hampton Roads has worked to get a $5 million state Industrial Revitalization Fund to help. WAVY’s reached out to the city to get an update on that process.
