Dollar Express Inc., a Philadelphia retailer positioning itself as the five-and-dime of the '90s, plans an 18-store expansion next year, including six new sites in Maryland.

The chain, which sells greeting cards, health and beauty items, cleaning supplies, snacks, housewares and toys, all for $1, opened its third Maryland store last week in a former Woolworth's in Reisterstown Shopping Center on Reisterstown Road.

The chain, with more than 100 stores in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey, also has stores in Glen Burnie and Rockville.

As part of the planned expansion, the company is considering sites in Aberdeen, Odenton, Overlea, Frederick, Upper Marlboro and Gaithersburg.

KLNB of Towson, Dollar Express' leasing company, said the chain is looking for space in the 8,000- to 10,000-square-foot range in strip shopping centers, free-standing buildings and shopping centers with large discount retailers.

The chain started as a card and gift shop in 1959 and opened as Dollar Express in 1989.

Pub Date: 10/13/98