Can it be? Dollar Store construction on the horizon?

The three-year dream of a Family Dollar Store in Monongah is gaining steam.

This optimistic message from Mayor Greg Vandetta:

“I was informed by a local contractor that it is going to do the site work. They are waiting on the final drawings for the Farmington Family Dollar. The two stores are going to be built at the same time. Dirt from the Monongah location will be hauled to the Farmington location for fill. He is hoping to get started within a couple of weeks. FINALLY!

“Start making your shopping list.”

This opus began in early 2014. Then Family Dollar was acquired by Dollar Tree, with headquarters in Chesapeake, Virginia, for $9.2 billion. Parkway Contractors of Chuckey, Tennessee will own the property and lease the building to Family Dollar, now operating as a Dollar Tree affiliate.

Because “Dollar” is in the name of stores from different companies, here’s how it breaks down in Marion and Harrison counties.

Family Dollar: Fairhills Plaza, 609 Bellview Boulevard, Fairmont; 917 E. Park Avenue, Fairmont; 204 S. Pike Street, Shinnston.

Dollar General: 1228 Country Club Road, Fairmont; 4584 Freedom Highway, Worthington; Middletown Mall, White Hall; 218 Adams Street, Fairmont.

The Huntington Bank building was razed three years ago at the site where the Pulice, Fiori and Gumont families took turns living before the home was torn down to make way for the bank.

This saga has gone on so long that I’ve run out of new ways to describe it. How about: It’s taking longer to happen than climbing up the Seneca Rocks wall face … blindfolded?

I know this hasn’t been easy on Mayor Vandetta. And he doesn’t need a retired newspaper editor piling on, but I do.

Good luck, Monongah. Let’s have a celebration when the Family Dollar Store opens to rival Cleveland’s 1.3 million parade and celebration for the Cavaliers’ NBA title that ended a 52-year pro sports drought.