JAY - Dollar Tree Inc., the nation's largest $1 discount variety store chain, plans to open a store in early fall at Jay Plaza, company spokesperson Chelle Davis said Wednesday.

"We are very excited to be coming into the Jay Plaza and into the town," she said. "We feel we are relevant to the times and consumers can stretch their dollar and shop at their favorite dollar store. We have things they need and things they want. ... Everything is a $1 except for greeting cards, which are two for $1."

Plaza owner Bob Bahre said the business will be moving into a part of the former Ames store space at the plaza off Route 4.

The complex also houses Hannaford, Subway, Wah Garden and Garden Island Laundry and Cleaning.

Androscoggin Bank and McDonald's are also located in separate buildings at the plaza location.

"There are two or three other things we are working on but you never know what will happen in this economy," Bahre said.

There are still several empty store fronts at the plaza that he is trying to fill.

Bahre has been trying to fill the Ames space since the store closed in late 2002 or early 2003.

"It's good news because obviously it brings some jobs to the area, which is certainly needed," Jay selectmen's Vice Chairman Warren Bryant said.

Dollar Tree Inc. has about 3,500 stores in 48 states, with none in Alaska or Hawaii, Davis said.

It opened its first Dollar Tree store in 1986 in Dalton, Ga., with five of them opened by year-end.

In 1995, Dollar Tree stores became a public company with stock traded on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol DLTR, according to the company's Web site, www.dollartree.com.

It has a nationwide distribution network and nine distribution centers, she said.

In Maine there are 17 Dollar Tree stores, the closest in Rumford.

The stores sell seasonal décor, gift bags, party supplies, housewares, candy and food, toys, health and beauty care, gifts, stationery, books and other consumer items.

Each store has a manager and usually two assistant managers and 15 to 20 employees, she said.

For employment information, people can visit the company Web site or call another Dollar Tree store, Davis said.