NORFOLK, Va. — A grocery store that was severely damaged by a fire in 2022, turning a low-income Norfolk community into a food desert, is set to have a grand reopening.
The Family Dollar at 720 Church Street will celebrate its grand reopening on Saturday, March 2, a spokesperson for the Dollar Tree and Family Dollar Communications announced.
The Church Street Family Dollar was heavily damaged by a fire on Labor Day 2022. It was the only store offering fresh produce and groceries for the area near Calvert Square, and its loss resulted in a food desert for its surrounding residents.
While the Family Dollar was being rebuilt, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore held multiple food distribution events and mobile pantries to help the impacted neighborhood. Family Dollar said it recently donated $25,000 to the Foodbank and matched all contributions in December.
According to a news release announcing the grand reopening, the newly restored Family Dollar will feature "a modernized layout, an updated interior with more freezer space, taller shelves, an expanded merchandise selection, refreshed décor and much more."
Festivities for Saturday's grand reopening include a prize wheel, food and beverage samples, character appearances, an on-site DJ, and a face painter. Family Dollar's store hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, with the grand reopening event taking place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
