MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Family Dollar store in Frayser was the target of another smash-and-grab incident in Memphis on Monday, leading to community members to worry the company would close down what they consider to be a vital structure in their community.
Overnight on Monday, Memphis Police told ABC24 they responded to two calls at the store at 3682 North Watkins Street, one for a burglary around 3 a.m. and another for a vandalism at around 5 a.m. Officers say they found the window smashed and cash registers thrown on the ground.
This comes after the announcement earlier in March that Family Dollar will close down 600 stores nationwide, though not which ones.
But Frayser residents say losing the store would not only be a blow to the community’s low-income households, but also jeopardize efforts to revitalize the area.
“I think it's ridiculous for us in our community to destroy the property that we got,” said Pauline Woody, the owner of Ms. D’s Wings across the street from Family Dollar. “We definitely don't need to lose that Family Dollar.”
Woody says businesses like hers and Out 2 Shine Hair Design (right next to Family Dollar) constantly have customers going back and forth between the stores. “My customers walk around there everyday to get snacks while they’re in the beauty salon,” said Out 2 Shine owner Teresa Davis.
“They come to Ms. D’s and then they say, ‘I’ll be back, I’m going to the Family Dollar,” Woody said.
It’s one of the many reasons Frayser residents don’t want crime to be the reason the store shuts down. Especially those who don’t have the luxury to drive somewhere else.
“That store being right here helps a lot of people in this neighborhood. People who can just conveniently walk to the store,” said Marcus Carter, who runs Best Choice Pressure Washing along North Watkins Street. “If that store were to close down, it would impact the community a lot.”
Local pastor Ricky Floyd said this particular Family Dollar is an anchor business for the area and key to continuing his church’s efforts to build up local businesses after they bought one of the strip mall properties on North Watkins Street.
“We have not only revitalized (the property) taking the Blight away, but by the end of next 30 days, we will have four minority business owners that have come to Fraser,” Pastor Floyd said.
The pastor says the owner of the property where the Family Dollar stands was a pillar in the Frayser community and a major part of that mission.
Tragically, Floyd said he passed away on Tuesday.
“He was the type of guy that would uplift anyone,” said Carter, who considered him a mentor. “(Especially) if you were trying to do something to better yourself.”
Pastor Floyd says their mission to rebuild Frayser must carry on and keeping Family Dollar there is vital.
“For a community like Frayser, food desert, major store chain desert, it’s an asset that we've got to do whatever we can to hold on to,” he said.