Dollar stores get spruced up; deals less clear cut Associated Press Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 11:49 a.m., Thursday, November 29, 2012 NEW YORK (AP) — Ducking into a dollar store to pick up some a soda and bag of cookies might save you time and effort, but will you save any money? Since the start of the downturn, major chains such as Dollar General Corp.