MARTINS FERRY — A new Dollar Tree store opened recently in the city of Martins Ferry.

Located at the site of the former Bauer Ford car lot, the store offers a variety of items including household goods, decorations, toys, crafting supplies, seasonal, gift bags, greeting cards, cleaning supplies, beauty and bath and more. It also features snacks, pop and some frozen foods at the rear of the store. All items are $1 or less.

Shoppers are asked to wear masks and social distance while inside the building because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The 9,950-square-foot store is located at 500 S. Zane Highway. Based on its size it can employ up to 20 people. It is open seven days a week.

Before Dollar Tree officials could move ahead with redevelopment of the site, they had to ensure there were no old underground fuel storage tanks on the parcel from the car lot.

About two years ago, the city got involved and helped the process along by trying to help the developer find any tanks by using city workers and machines to dig in the lot.

No tanks were ever found. However, if tanks had been found, their removal would have been handled by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and funded via the Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations grant program.

BUSTR is administered via the Ohio Development Services Agency, in partnership with OEPA and the Department of Commerce.

The store originally was slated to open Nov. 19 but instead opened Nov. 24 after shipment of stock via tractor-trailer was delayed.

Some other retailers have opened in the city recently including Dollar General on Broadway Street, the Wishing Well gift shop on Zane Highway, and the M and C Boutique on Fourth Street, which celebrated its grand opening Nov. 24.