The Dollar Tree store on 18th Avenue South in St. Petersburg is set to close its doors. Managers told us the store will close on Dec. 10.

  • Latest business moving out of area
  • Walmart closed in Tangerine Plaza earlier in 2017
  • Kriseman: other businesses showing interest in Walmart site

The chain did not confirm the reason why they’re closing, but it becomes the latest in a series of businesses pulling up stakes in the predominantly black community.

For residents like Angel Johnson, it's just more bad news.

"It seems like everything is closing," Johnson said. "But they said it's closing because of people stealing out of the stores."

Earlier in 2017, Walmart closed its grocery store in the area's Tangerine Plaza.

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman said to his knowledge the city was not made aware of the Dollar Tree location closing. However, he did tell us plans are moving forward on finding a business to fill the gap in Tangerine Plaza, and that some businesses have already started to show interest in moving into the space.

For the present, residents like Andrew Williams told us they'll just be searching for other places to get the items they need.

“Y'know, just have to hit these little mom n' pop stores,' Williams said. "It's a shame that Walmart closed, you know. It's a real travesty about that."