i go to this dollar general almost every day. while the staff is generally pleasant and helpfull every time i go in (which is why i continue to shop here) i was very upset when i saw this today.
im disabled and use a cane to walk. both handicap spots are on either side of the front door with a yellow hash egress area inbetween. this area is for disabled customers to use for getting out of vehicles and unloading wheelchsirs. every year from spring through fall, store mgmt allows stacks n racks of products to be displayed in this egress area. im assuming this is a directive by dollar general corporation since i see this at almost every store, in several states.
this is a dangerous liability for dollar general. disabled customers cant get out of their vehicles much less use a wheele chair to get in the store. at a minimum, products get run over. at worst, a disabled customer could be hurt.
this year was particularly disgraceful since boxes of toys are placed 1/3 of the way into the handicap parking spot (in the picture, the yellow line is the edge between the parking spot and the egress area. the corner of the handicap sign on the ground is showing n in the middle of the parking spot). when i opened the door of my vehicle, i had to push boxes out of the way with my cane just to be able to step out on ground.... the boxes were lined up all the way to my door and i had to partially park in the neighboring spot. the picture was taken when i was leaving, after i had already pushed and tossed boxes out of my way. they were stacked further into the parking spot.
i spoke to the person that said he was the manager. when i explained the issue (politely but definatively) he was short n curt w his response of "ya ok. ill move it." then interrupted me when i attempted to continue my explination. while i hope he makes sure the issue is dealt with promptly, this is a problem corporation wide. i dont get the impression dollar general cares much for their disabled customers since this has been an issue for several years. customers shouldnt have to move boxes out of parking spots and egress areas or complain to the mgr to do as such just for the "privilege" of shopping at their stores.
UPDATE: drove by the store today (didnt have the time to stop n take a pic). the egress area is clear of everything. the sidewalks still have some things but they have cleaned them up as well. i could see in the front door. they still have a retangle stack of items inside the door but there is at least an isles worth of space all around it. as long as they keep up the work this summer, i will change the rating. ~Vicki
dollar store
beauty supply store
candy store
convenience store
discount store
drugstore
general store
party store
seasonal goods store
variety store