New dollar store opens on Cherry Street

As Dennis Whipple and Sarah Stewart unpacked merchandise and staged it on shelves and hangers in preparation for the opening of their dollar store, Whipple came across a handful of selfie sticks and questioned some of the product selection of his new store.

“When I saw that, I said, ‘We’ll never sell this,’” he recalled.

But now in their seventh week of business, the co-owners of Cherry Street Dollar PLUS said selfie sticks have been one of their most popular items among customers since they opened July 27.

The new business, located at 7th Cherry St., has been a way for Whipple – a longtime business owner in the community – to continue practicing entrepreneurship, and for Stewart – a USD student studying business management – to learn from Whipple about what it takes to run a business.

“It’s kind of scary, but it’s exciting at the same time,” Stewart said.

Whipple is the former owner of the Dairy Queen franchise of 23 years in Vermillion, and Stewart was an employee of Whipple’s for about six years. When Whipple decided to sell the Dairy Queen, he said he was contemplating opening a dollar store in town.

Once he decided to pursue that goal, Whipple said Stewart stood out to him as someone who would be a good business partner.

“I knew she’d be a good asset, and that’s why I asked her,” he said. “I asked Sarah several times if she wanted to do it. I told her she could go broke with this venture.”

In her third year studying business at USD, Stewart knew opening a business was something she was interested in. She said her parents have been supportive of her business endeavors.

“My dad at first kind of shrugged (the idea of co-owning a business) off, but then when it was time to go they said ‘go ahead and do it, ‘ “ she said. “Dennis is our next door neighbor, so he knows my parents.”

Both Stewart and Whipple believe a dollar store is something the community of this size will take advantage of, especially with college students looking to save money. The store is open seven days a week.

“It’s on Cherry Street, which is a main street here,” Whipple said. “It’s close to the campus. More college kids have started coming when they find out about us.”

An official grand opening of Cherry Street Dollar PLUS is planned for Saturday. A special discount is being offered for purchases over $10, along with free refreshments and henna tattoos.

(Photo: Dennis Whipple and Sarah Stewart opened Cherry Street Dollar PLUS, located at 7th Cherry Street on July 27. Stewart, a USD student studying business management, said that opening a business was an interest of hers. Trent Opstedahl / The Volante)