Dollar Up opens in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE - Cartoon character-themed bubble bath, makeup, party supplies, jewelry, food and greeting cards make up the plethora of merchandise at the new Dollar Up store in downtown Moses Lake.

"I think it's fabulous. There's so much to look at and things that are reasonable," said shopper Janet Lincoln, of Moses Lake, on Wednesday. "There's some place else to shop."

It was Lincoln's second trip to the store.

Sheri and Jake Jacobsen's store opened recently at 221 Balsam St., creating another shopping option for residents.

Sheri explained the store was part of a dollar store corporation and not a franchise.

She's been thinking about opening the business for about a year.

She owned a mini-mart in George for seven years and "really likes retail," Sheri said.

She is also a realtor and past owner of Dune Lake Properties in Moses Lake, where she's still employed.

"For some reason, I like retail," she explained. "I like real estate too, because you're with people."

At this point, Sheri is listening to customers' wants to further tailor merchandise to the area.

"We've heard a lot of good comments about the location and the different items," she said. "Everyone has a dollar. That's the fun part."

Linda Hubsmith, an accounting employee at Dollar Up, met Sheri when she put her house on the market.

They kept in touch and Hubsmith was later hired.

"I came in when freight arrived," she recalled. "Eight of us came in and started opening up freight. It was like Christmas in here."

The store employees nine workers.

Hubsmith is hearing that customers like the store and are glad it opened.

Items costing more than $1 are also for sale, such as gift sets, candles, dishes and seasonal items.

"They like the jewelry," Hubsmith said. "They've been selling a lot of jewelry."

She is enjoying her new job.

"It's been fun," Hubsmith said. "I think what's been fun for me is starting something fresh, something new. You're not overwhelmed by someone that's already been there."

Store hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday.

For more information, call 509-766-7200.