Convenience, low prices, and friendly service can all be found at Buck’s Dollar & More, along with a wide range of continually updated items for the home, garden, and automobile.
Rita and Mike Skelly opened the dollar store in the fall of 2004.
‘We opened here to bring convenience to the Ortonville area,? says Rita Skelly. ‘We wanted to have a variety of things here so people would not have to drive so far to get them. They can save a trip to the mall or stores farther away.?
Although Buck’s Dollar is convenient for those who live in the community, the store also draws customers who live outside the community. Skelly has people come to her store from Davison, Goodrich, Clarkston, Orion, Oxford and even as far away as Alpena.
‘It all goes back to our variety,? she says. ‘We have a large selection in each department.?
The 3,300 square-foot store is supplied with items for every need: parties, babies, health and beauty, automobiles, crafts and seasonal.
Kitchenware, toys, children’s books and puzzle books, cosmetics, picture frames and pantry staples like coffee, tea, sugar and spices fill the aisles.
Everything is one dollar or less in the store with the exception of some pi’atas, some scrapbooking items and one giant balloon.
Scrapbooking items were a new addition to the store in 2005 and have been very popular, warranting an entire section. Skelly has also expanded the gardening section in the store. Buck’s Dollar now offers seeds, planters, gardening , utensils and aprons, as well as artificial plants and flowers.
Skelly orders from a number of different vendors and attends dollar store shows in Detroit and Las Vegas, ordering only quality items.
‘I’m thrifty, but I won’t put it out if it’s not quality,? she says. ‘We try to bring in new stuff so we don’t get stale.?
Buck’s Dollar is a family-operated business and the staff welcomes customer input. Skelly invites customers to let her know what they like and she will try to find it.
When Skelly opened Buck’s Dollar, she admits she knew nothing about the dollar store business, but she has learned quickly and she loves what she does.
‘I like meeting all the new people and ordering things for the store,? she smiles. ‘It’s like Christmas opening all the boxes all the time. We love rearranging and making it work. It’s fun and I love the customers.?
Esther Cannara is a customer shopping today. As her order is rung up, she lets Skelly know what she thinks of the store.
‘It’s a ?10?,? Cannara says. ‘There are unique products here you can’t find in other dollar stores.?
We are expanding with more sections to fill the needs of the community. We welcome suggestions