What is a Dollar General Market? and Does Augusta have one Yet?

Have you heard the news about the Dollar General expansion? Dollar General has decided to expand to the DG market - Dollar General Market.

Over the past year, they've been rolling out this "new" Dollar General and we now have the first of its kind in the Augusta area.

The newly opened DG Market is located at 180 East Milledgeville Road in Harlem, GA.

The store is open daily, operating between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Dollar General Markets are very similar to a regular Dollar General, except now they have a selection of fresh produce and perishables. Dollar General markets will also have meat and dairy products.

They are not as big as your typical grocery store, but they are twice the size of a regular Dollar General.

So far there are less than 3,000 DG markets across the nation, but the store has plans to turn 10,000 more of there stories into Dollar General Markets.

The purpose of these DG Markets is to help with food insecurity.

When it comes to grocery shopping, I'll be honest... I've done a LOT of my shopping at Walmart lately. Usually it's because it happens to be really close to my house.  But I also like the convenience of getting the groceries, along with other items I might need.

When I'm not shopping at Walmart, Food Lion is a close second.  Again, because it's close.  And honestly, I probably save more money when I shop Food Lion!

If it weren't for having to make multiple stops, I'd more than likely shop at Aldi though.  The only reason I don't shop there more often is because I wind up still having to go to another store to finish my shopping. Because, I am not one to shop by sales or what's available.  I make a list based on what I want to cook and eat that week.  I know I could save more if I shopped sales, I'm just not that organized or dedicated!

So now that you know my "go-to" grocery stores... what does America think is the best place to grocery shop?

According to the USA Today Readers' Choice Poll, below are the top 10 best supermarket brands in 2022! A few of these we do have locally here in Augusta and surrounding areas.

These grocery stores are located in Washington state. They are the largest community-owned food markets in the U.S. They have 16 stores.

Trader Joe's first opened in 1967. They have a ton of unique and interesting items, and at affordable prices. They don't carry a lot of brand names you recognize, but have grown a huge following for some specific favorites (Everything but the Bagel Seasame Seasoning Blend, Mandarin Orange Chicken, Unexpected Cheddar and more).

We used to have a Trader Joe's in Augusta.  Now the closest locations are in Athens, Georgia and Columbia, South Carolina.

Wegmans is a regional, family-owned chain grocer. They have over 100 stores, and are located in North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Viriginia, Maryland and Massachusetts.

This is a name that of course I recognized on the list!  The chain was founded in 1930 in Florida.  They've actually become the largest employee-owned company in the US! They have over 1200 stores throughout 7 states.  The stores have their own bakeries, dairy and fresh food manufacturing facilities.

And check out their uniforms through the years!

In business for more than a century, Market Basket is a chain grocer in the Northeast. They offer "more for your dollar."

Looks like these stores are only in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey.  They started out as a small dairy. A small chain that originated in 1969, specializing in farm fresh food and family fun.

Wish we had one of these around here!  They are known for hosting costumed characters and entertainment!

Lidl carries many private label products. They have more than 3500 products and also have in store baked goods, fresh flowers and a nice win selection.

We have 2 Lidl locations in the CSRA- on Alexander Drive in Augusta and Martintown Road in North Augusta.

I still remember the first time I went in an ALDI!  I was very impressed with the amazing prices.  Of course, they don't have a lot of the name-brand stuff, but they offer a wide variety, and great prices on produce, meat, everyday essentials and more!

And of course, don't forget to bring your quarter... and your own bags!

We have multiple ALDI locations in the CSRA- in Augusta on Bobby Jones Expressway, in Grovetown on Gateway Boulevard, in North Augusta on Knox Avenue and in Aiken on Whiskey Road.

Honestly, I'd never heard of Hy-Vee.  It seems they have 240 locations but are mostly up north.  Their motto is "a helpful smile in every aisle."

This store was inspired by the food markets in Europe. The goal is to offer a more intimate and personalized experience. They have 159 locations in 22 states. The focus is on fresh, delicious food.

Our local store is at 2701 Washington Road Suite 12, Augusta.