By JIMMY LAWTON

DEKALB -- Shoppers in the DeKalb area will have a new option for groceries and convenience items in November, if plans to open a Family Dollar store go through.

Lawrence Construction, a Canandaigua developing company, hopes to begin work on the store in July, pending approval from the DeKalb and St. Lawrence County planning boards.

Lawrence Tillack, of Lawrence Construction, said he develops stores for Family Dollar throughout the North Eastern region.

He said he expects no problems from planniners and hopes the store will be open in November.

Tillack said the store will likely create six to eight full-time jobs and will be a healthy addition to DeKalb's tax base.

"I think it's good news for the people up there, they don't have a lot of retail operations in the area," he said.

Tillack said the building will be 8,000 square feet. Family Dollar stores are open 7 days per week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. He said the stores, which traditionally carried a variety of convenience items, now carry a wide variety of groceries as well.

"They sell a lot of groceries now, I think that will be good for a small community," he said.

The new store would be located at 4269 US Highway 11.

Plans for the store have been submitted to St. Lawrence County Planning board, which is expected to present its recommendations at the next meeting, June 14.