PANAMA CITY, Fla. — Dollar General Corp. recently celebrated the grand opening of its 16,000th store.

“We are thrilled to expand our store presence with our 16,000th store grand opening celebration,” Dollar General chief executive Todd Vasos said. “From our first store in rural Kentucky to today’s 16,000th store in Panama City, our commitment to serve the communities we call home has never wavered.  From small towns to metropolitan city centers and every community in between, Dollar General is proud to create positive economic impact and local career opportunities as we provide customers with everyday value and convenience.  We are grateful we can support the Panama City community, which continues to rebuild from Hurricane Michael’s landfall last year, and demonstrate our mission of Serving Others through donations made to two local elementary schools today. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the entire Dollar General family whose hard work and dedication have helped us reach this significant milestone.”

Dollar General presented the first 500 adult customers at the new store with $10 gift cards and tote bags containing a variety of complimentary products. Festivities also included giveaways and entertainment provided from several of Dollar General’s vendor partners, including complimentary breakfast and lunch and samples of Dollar General’s exclusive Clover Valley private brand snacks. Early shoppers also had the chance to win a year of free shopping from Dollar General, a prize valued at $520.

The company also celebrated the milestone event with a community celebration and donations to two local elementary schools at its new store on East Third Street, which will serve Gulf Coast residents still rebuilding from devastation caused by Hurricane Michael in October 2018.

“Economic progress in a community comes in many forms, and the opening of Dollar General’s 16,000th store is another positive step forward in the community getting back to normalcy from Hurricane Michael,” Panama City mayor Greg Brudnicki said. “We appreciate Dollar General for reinvesting in our community.”

Brudnicki issued a proclamation declaring September 28 — the day of the grand opening — as “Dollar General Day.” Mayor Ralph Hammond, of the nearby city of Springfield, Fla., issued a similar proclamation.

“The City of Springfield is very proud to have Dollar General back up and open in our community,” Hammond said. “The grand opening will help our community in its healing from the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. Our recovery efforts are moving forward toward a newer, bigger and better community, and we are thankful to Dollar General for supporting our city. We looking forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come.”

Dollar General opened one of its very first Florida locations in Panama City more than 42 years ago in 1977. The company also operates one of its 16 distribution centers in nearby Alachua, Fla. Dollar General said it currently employs more than 8,300 Floridians.