Dollar General builds three sizes of stores, and its largest is planned for construction in Columbia early next year, Town Manager Rhett White told the board of aldermen on Aug. 5.

The town planning board okayed the retailer’s site plans in late July, and approval of a final state permit is expected in 90-120 days, White reported.

Plans show the new building will be 10,640 square feet, 33% larger than the existing store in Columbia.

The building designer told the planning board that his firm doesn’t design many Dollar General stores of this size, but the company wants one here, White relayed.

“That tells us Dollar General in Columbia is doing exceptionally well,” White said the designer added.

The planning board approved the site drawings that include a water retention plan to reduce pollution and one entry-exit from U.S. Hwy 64 to reduce danger to motorists.

NCDOT actively opposes more curb cuts along Scuppernong Drive, contending that each additional one increases the risk of collisions and raises the probability of lowering the speed limit below the present 45 miles per hour and/or installing more stoplights along the thoroughfare.

The new store is to be built between Duck Thru Fueling Station and Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries.

Site plans call for 38 parking spaces on the two-acre site. The current Dollar Store property is 0.63 acres.

The retailer touts, “Dollar General makes shopping for everyday needs simpler and hassle-free by offering a carefully edited assortment of the most popular brands at low everyday prices.” It operates 15,472 stores with 130,000 employees.