Retail returned to Red Level Wednesday as the new 9,014 square-foot store Dollar General opened its doors.

The parking lot was full Wednesday afternoon, and customers were excited to have a place to shop in their own town.

“We think it’s great that we don’t have to drive to Andalusia to get the basic things,” Florie Lassiter of Red Level said.

Red Level resident Mike Harrelson echoed Lassiter.

“There’s nothing else here,” he said. “It’s great that we don’t have to drive to Andalusia.”

Buck Creek resident Christine Barton said she’s been excited since the city announced in March that the town had been chosen as the store’s newest Covington County location.

“We didn’t have anything else, so it was time to get excited,” she said, speaking of the initial announcement. “It is a lot closer than going to Andalusia.”

Barton said she comes to Red Level many times a week to pickup her grandson, so the new store will make it much more convenient.

Shoppers weren’t limited to Red Level residents on Wednesday.

McKenzie resident Kerri Smyth said she typically drives to Andalusia, which is about a 32-mile drive.

With the opening of Dollar General, Smyth said her drive is cut to 10 miles.

The store employs approximately six to 10 people, depending on need, and is open from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m., daily.