Dollar General chain to open Lawrence store

A Dollar General Store is expected to open by mid-September along West Sixth Street.

Allison Vance Moore with the commercial real estate agency Grubb & Ellis/Winbury Group confirmed the Tennessee-based retailer will move into the former Roach Hardware building at 1811 W. Sixth St.

Attempts to reach officials at Dollar General were unsuccessful.

The stores sell a variety of items including cleaning supplies, health and beauty aids, greeting cards and some apparel and food items. About a third of the company’s items are priced at a dollar or less, according to the company’s Web site.

Retail

Sunflower bike shop to mark 30 years

Lawrence’s Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop, 804 Mass., will have two events this week to celebrate its 30th year in business.

The downtown Lawrence retailer will have an outdoor family carnival at 6 p.m. today at Buford M. Watson Jr. Park, near Sixth and Kentucky streets. The event will feature tent displays, a sleeping bag race, and numerous bicycle competitions.

At 7 p.m. Thursday, the store will have an open house with refreshments and prize giveaways. Both events are free and open to the public.

Aviation

New United CEO mum on proposed job cuts

Taking the helm in the midst of a financial crisis, United Airlines’ new chief executive told employees Tuesday that difficult decisions must be made immediately at the country’s second-largest carrier.

On his first day in charge, Glenn Tilton, who was named to the position Monday, didn’t immediately say whether he seeks the same $9 billion in labor cuts over six years that his predecessor proposed last week.

The former vice chairman of ChevronTexaco Corp. pledged to work with employees closely as he contemplates his “important first steps.”

Internet

Court rejects plan to revive Napster

A bankruptcy judge blocked the sale of Napster to Bertelsmann AG on Tuesday, killing a deal that might have revived the Internet song-swapping service as a legitimate business.

Judge Peter J. Walsh, in Wilmington, Del., cited conflicting loyalties by Napster’s top executive.

Napster chief executive Konrad Hilbers, a Bertelsmann veteran, said the judge’s decision will probably force Napster into liquidation.

“Napster is disappointed with the bankruptcy court’s decision not to approve the sale of the company’s assets to Bertelsmann. As a result of the record companies’ and music publishers’ opposition, Napster’s creditors will be denied substantial repayment and the company will likely be forced into Chapter 7 liquidation,” Hilbers said.