Editorial: Bring on the businesses in Dickinson

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A little competition never hurt, but soon the Dickinson area will feel big competition.

Rumors had been flying about what businesses were going to make a development north of Interstate 94 at Exit 59 their homes.

Earthmovers had rearranged the landscape for months and people across town were sure they had the inside scoop on a Menards or Lowe’s, Olive Garden and Target making the space home.

Well, the truth came out Friday as Roers Development announced the newcomers.

The appropriately-named West Ridge Center will be home to Hilton Garden Inn Hotel, HomStay Suites, Home2 Suites By Hilton, Cash Wise Foods, Cash Wise Liquor, Menards, AT&T, Dollar Tree, Petco, Gate City Bank, Value Place and Shoe Carnival.

Retailers are set to break ground this summer, according to a press release. And there may be others joining the list, including restaurants. Roers management says there may be more news regarding the site in 60 days.

It will be interesting to see what impact this plaza may have on current businesses, but it’s safe to say there will be needed competition — and price-dropping.

While this is great news for the consumer, it may have existing retailers on edge.

We believe shoppers will continue to frequent Dickinson-area businesses that have filled their needs, some for a century.

But, there are holes in consumers’ needs. Businesses should stay open after 5 p.m. Variety is also lacking in some areas of the Dickinson retail environment.

Many are, but it appears many were not, satisfying customers’ desires as the opening and closing of downtown shops have not been an uncommon sight.

Because of what seems like unlimited oil, thousands of jobs are open in the area, thousands of people have and are, heading here and need plenty of goods to survive. Many of these open jobs come with plenty of money — much will be spent without restriction.

A development of this size did not need $400,000 of city funds to extend water and sewer, but that’s behind us now.

Building in all directions is fast and furious in western North Dakota.

The retail center will put a greater demand on housing, roads, customer service and finding qualified — if any employees. There is time to prepare and Roers began preparation before bringing in big business.

Since acquiring the first piece of land 20 months ago, Roers has been instrumental in building 400 homes and apartments on the west side of Dickinson.

We welcome the new stores and we appreciate the old. (And we’ll still take a Target if they’ll have us.)

Publisher Harvey Brock and Editor Jennifer McBride are on The Press Editorial Board.

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