A mock advertisement for fun between friends became a real First Place ad this week

What started off as a joke between friends wound up as an advertisement for the First Place this week.

Last week, store owner Helen Galloway and other tenants within Comotara discussed their concerns about Dollar Tree’s plans to take the former Two Olives space in the center at 29th and Rock Road.

Then a friend — “a great lawyer in this town,” whom Galloway said wants to remain anonymous — stopped into the store with a mock ad making fun of the chain’s arrival.

“Don’t bother, nothing costs a dollar,” the mock First Place ad said.

Galloway had a laugh over it but wasn’t aware that someone at the store then put it on Facebook as a paid advertisement.

“Isn’t that hysterical?”

That’s what others thought, too, who responded with pictures of a laughing monkey, a man rolling around on the floor in hysterics and comments such, “Love it,” and “True enough.”

Galloway said it’s all meant in fun and not to be rude.

She said she’s heard from many people over the Dollar Tree article, and to thank all her Wichita customers for their support, Galloway said she’s giving away hundreds of free gifts the Friday and Saturday before Halloween. What she called beautifully wrapped presents will line the patio at the store both days until they’re gone.

Then, Galloway said when Dollar Tree opens next year, “I’ll be their first customer over there.”

So what will she buy?

“Well, I don’t even know. I’ve gotta go see what they’re selling.”

Has Galloway ever been in a Dollar Tree?

“Maybe,” she said. “I don’t know for sure.”

As she noted last week, Dollar Trees “seem to be right around every corner,” so Galloway said she may not even wait until the Comotara Dollar Tree opens to shop one of the stores.

“I may go visit a couple of them.”