How Dollar General is Gutting America’s Local Communities: Documentary Review

Dollar General has quietly become a dominant force in small towns and rural areas across America. On the surface, this might seem like a positive development, filling a void in areas often overlooked by big-box retailers. But as the documentary “How Dollar Stores Quietly Consumed America,” produced by Wendover Productions and released on September 7, 2023, reveals, Dollar General’s impact on local communities is far more destructive than it appears.

In this review, we explore how Dollar General’s business model, while perfectly legal, is gutting small towns and low-income neighborhoods, leaving lasting economic damage in its wake.

The Economic Exploitation of Small Towns

Dollar General thrives in areas other retailers avoid, like Faith, South Dakota—a town of just 367 people. In places like this, Dollar General becomes the only game in town, undercutting local businesses that can’t compete with its low prices. These independent businesses—grocery stores, hardware shops, and other small-town staples—can’t survive the competition, leaving residents with fewer choices and a weakened local economy.

What’s most alarming is how Dollar General deliberately targets these economically vulnerable communities, knowing that their low-cost, low-staff model can thrive where others fail. But once Dollar General has run the local businesses out of town, residents are left dependent on a corporation that has no ties to the community.

A Lean Business Model at the Expense of Communities

Dollar General’s ability to operate in such small towns hinges on its ultra-lean business model. With only six to ten employees running a store, often paid barely above minimum wage, the company maximizes profit by keeping staffing costs low. Additionally, Dollar General offers a fraction of the product variety found at larger stores—around 10,000 items compared to Walmart’s 140,000.

While this simplicity allows Dollar General to keep prices low, it also comes at the cost of local jobs. Small-town grocery stores and hardware shops employ more people and reinvest profits into the local economy. Dollar General’s profits, however, flow to corporate headquarters, leaving these communities economically hollowed out.

Creating and Worsening Food Deserts

Perhaps the most insidious impact Dollar General has is its role in perpetuating food deserts. In many rural and low-income urban areas, Dollar General replaces full-service grocery stores, offering cheap, shelf-stable goods but no fresh produce or meats. This forces residents to rely on processed foods, worsening health outcomes in already vulnerable populations.

By driving out local grocery stores, Dollar General doesn’t just take away economic vitality—it removes access to healthy food. The company isn’t solving the problem of food deserts; it’s deepening them.

Crime and Security Issues

The documentary also highlights how Dollar General’s low-cost, low-staffing model makes its stores frequent targets for crime. In cities like Dayton, Ohio, where there are 70 Dollar General stores within a 10-mile radius, the stores have become hotspots for theft and violence. The minimal security measures and understaffed locations make Dollar General an easy target for criminals.

This isn’t just a big-city issue. Even in smaller towns, the lack of investment in proper staffing and security leads to a rise in crime. Communities that were once safe now deal with the fallout from Dollar General’s cost-cutting measures.

Community Pushback

Fortunately, some communities are starting to fight back. Cities like Tulsa have passed ordinances to limit the spread of dollar stores, recognizing that their long-term impact on local economies and food access is overwhelmingly negative. These grassroots movements are pushing for healthier alternatives, encouraging full-service grocery stores that can provide fresh food and better-paying jobs.

Documentary Summary

The Wendover Productions documentary, “How Dollar Stores Quietly Consumed America,” released on September 7, 2023, takes a deep dive into these issues. It highlights how Dollar General and other similar chains have strategically positioned themselves to profit from the economic vulnerability of small towns and low-income urban areas. The documentary is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the true cost of Dollar General’s presence in these communities.

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Final Thoughts

Dollar General isn’t just a convenience for small towns—it’s a parasite. The company exploits the legal loopholes and economic vulnerability of rural and low-income communities, driving out local businesses and worsening food deserts. While Dollar General may offer short-term savings, its long-term impact is devastating.

If we want to preserve the health and vitality of America’s small towns, we need to recognize the threat that Dollar General poses and push back against its unchecked expansion.

Tony Simons

Tony has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix and over 11 years of writing experience between multiple publications in the tech, photography, lifestyle, and deal industries.