Monroeville dollar store fight over

Despite some opposition, a new "Dollar General" store is coming to Monroeville. Thursday afternoon the Allen County Plan Commission unanimously approved a re-zoning appeal that paves the way for the store to be built.

At a public hearing last week, several people spoke out against the plan. Some say they're concerned with increased traffic and noise.

But, before voting on the proposal, one commission member said their arguments were just not good enough.

The vote "yes" by the commission means a Dollar General Store will come to town, right off of State Road 101, near Monroeville Road.

The developers behind the plan, Michigan-based Hurley & Stewart LLC, say the location was picked because it's an "under-served market".

Supporters say the new store will mean progress for the small town.

"We're trying to get Monroeville to grow, to increase our tax base and to get more people to move in that area and I think it would be a plus for the town," said Don Gerardot, president of the Monroeville Town Council.

"It was a relief after seeing so much opposition," said Andrew Rossell, an engineer with Hurley& Stewart. "Allen County has this in their comprehensive plan and I think they made a good judgment."

Noticeably absent from Thusday's meeting was Liana Brase. Brase already owns a dollar store in Monroeville called "Dollar Dan$" and doesn't think there's enough room for two.

When NewsChannel 15 caught up with Brase Thursday evening, she said she was disappointed but not surprised by the decision.

"I knew it all along, you can't compete against a big company like that coming in," said Brase.

Liana will try to compete though. She's planning to expand her inventory, and start a flea market and consignment shop.

She has no plans to close, despite the fact the Dollar General plans are now moving forward.

"Hopefully everything works out for the best," Brase told NewsChannel 15. "We're going to try and everybody in town is going to work together, all the businesses try to keep on going."

Construction on the Dollar General is expected to begin in spring, 2010.