Mom/son duo open dollar store in North Austin

When looking to expand his family's business in Mexico into the United States, Arturo Lopez did his research to find the city that most supported small businesses.

That is how he ended up choosing to open Jolly Penny on Burnet Road north of US 183 in North Austin.

"It's near a lot of residents and The Domain," he said. "I saw an opportunity here because Burnet is a road where a lot of people drive by. North Austin is more family-oriented and growing."

Lopez's family has been in the general store business since his grandfather started a successful business, Comercial Trevio, in Monterrey, Mexico, that grew into several locations in the states of Nuevo Len and Coahuila.

Lopez, his uncle, Felipe Jimenez Beltran, and his mother, Yolanda Trevio, all helped with opening the company's first U.S. location, which opened in January.

They named it Jolly Penny instead of Jolly Dollar because most items are priced between $1 and $1.49, Lopez said.

Jolly Penny sells party supplies as well as a variety of household items, including kitchen supplies, cleaning supplies and towels. Pet supplies, cosmetics, toys, school and office supplies, hair accessories and eyewear are among other items customers can find at the general store. The store even has piatas for $15.99.

Lopez said he takes suggestions—more than 200 so far—from customers on items they want, and he and his mother select the inventory.

"We have a lot of repeat customers, many weekly," he said. "I have the liberty to sell what people want."

A second location for Jolly Penny is not out of the question, Lopez said, but for now, having one makes owning his own business all that more special. He said he is enjoying getting to know his customers and the community.

"We're helping them save money, and you have that money stay here [in Austin]," he said.

Jolly Penny, 9505 Burnet Road, Ste. C, 512-900-3883, www.jollypenny.com, Twitter: @jollypennyatx, Hours: Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m.–8 p.m.