Approximately 100 people in the Heart of Virginia attended a grand opening of the Dollar General store at the intersection of U.S. Route 460 and Rice’s Depot Road on Saturday.

A line stretched outside the front doors of the store, as members of the Rice community, in addition to residents of Farmville, Buckingham County and Nottoway County, were on hand for the event.

Representatives of Dollar General and the Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors cut a ribbon outside of the store.

Dollar General District Manager Michelle Romanac said the store sells a little bit of everything.

“We’re very proud to be here in Rice, Virginia,” Romanac said Saturday.

Romanac cited that Dollar General has approximately 14,000 stores operating in the supervisors approved a special use permit to build the Dollar General store in March 2017 following a public hearing in which 28 people spoke. Of the 28, 19 spoke in support of the Dollar General, and nine spoke against it.

The approved permit comes with several conditions, including a sign indicating no right-hand turn for 18-wheeler trucks, buffering of neighboring residential areas with Leyland Cyprus trees and a six-foot privacy fence, the addition of a brick front, adding an extended right-turn lane into the store’s parking lot and limits on the purchase of water quality credits.

Members of the board expressed concerns about traffic safety at the location and also spoke about a potential increase in revenue to the area.

County Administrator Wade Bartlett said he was impressed by the new store.

“It’s probably the most organized Dollar General store I have ever seen,” Bartlett said. “Very well stocked. Grounds well kept … It will be a real asset to the county and the region.”

Inside the store, visitors shopped aisles with clothing, household items, beverages, groceries and snacks.

The first 50 customers received a gift card, but Romanac said each customer would receive a gift bag Saturday for attending the grand opening.

“It was wonderful to see the town come out,” Romanac said.

She noted that approximately seven people have been hired at the Dollar General.

Detra Deese, of Crewe, said she looked forward to the store opening.

Linda Satkowski, who had been one of the first participants in line Saturday, said she believes the store could potentially help grow the community of Rice.

“It’s good for the county, good for Rice,” Satkowski said.