This year, Dollar Tree Stores Inc., headquartered in Virginia, set out to add 300 stores in 37 states, a network that now has 2,000 locations. Texas was at the top of the list for the openings. In 2003, the DFW metroplex will get another 15, maybe 20, Jim Weir of Fort Worth-based Woodmont Co. tells GlobeSt.com. The chain plans to add up to 400 corporate-owned stores in 2003, with 50 more planned for Texas.

When November ends, Dollar Tree will have opened two stores per month for three consecutive months in Texas. The wheeling and dealing also reserved a spot in the line-up for Buckner Commons, a 51,500-sf center that's close to breaking ground in East Dallas at the intersection of Interstate 30 and Buckner Boulevard. The project delivers in July 2003. Dollar Tree leased 9,945 sf.

Opening in November will be a 10,239-sf store at Parker Plaza West at 2109 Parker Rd. in Plano and a 9,525-sf one at Ridgmar Town Square at US Highway 183 in Fort Worth.

October brought the opening of an 11,819-sf store at Northlake Shopping Center at 10233 E. Northwest Highway in Dallas and a 25,080-sf conversion for half of a vacant Wal-Mart in the Fort Worth suburb of Burleson. Dollar Tree is sharing the freestanding building at 640 SW Wilshire with Hobby Lobby.

A month ago, the retailer pushed into West Texas with the opening of an 11,700-sf store in a former Athlete's Foot building at the intersection of North Midland Drive and Loop 250 in Midland and an 11,589-sf retail space at 200 Looney St. in Brownwood.

Weir, Jennifer Frank and Greg Rabin, also with Woodmont, hold the account for Texas. Neil Boyshow as Dollar Tree's local representative holds the final say. In most cases, the team handled both sides of the talks. The Buckner Commons lease was negotiated with Tom Rohde of Rohde Ottmers Siegel of San Antonio while the Northlake deal was structured with Kathy Dickey of the Christon Co. in Dallas.