<P> In October 1939 , James and Cal opened J.L. Turner and Son with an initial investment of $5,000 each . The switch to retailing resulted in annual sales above $2 million by the early 1950s . By the mid-1950s Turner had 35 department stores in Kentucky and Tennessee . In 1955 Cal Turner developed his idea of a retail store selling goods for a dollar , based on the Dollar Days promotions held at other department stores , by converting Turner 's Department Store in Springfield , Kentucky into the first Dollar General Store . In 1964 J.L. Turner died leaving his son Cal Turner to succeed him . </P>
<P> In October 1939 , James and Cal opened J.L. Turner and Son with an initial investment of $5,000 each . The switch to retailing resulted in annual sales above $2 million by the early 1950s . By the mid-1950s Turner had 35 department stores in Kentucky and Tennessee . In 1955 Cal Turner developed his idea of a retail store selling goods for a dollar , based on the Dollar Days promotions held at other department stores , by converting Turner 's Department Store in Springfield , Kentucky into the first Dollar General Store . In 1964 J.L. Turner died leaving his son Cal Turner to succeed him . </P>
when was the first dollar general store opened
when was the first dollar general store opened
1955
1955