I either read or watched a news piece recently that in poorer and/or more remote communities, dollar stores serve as the main site of food purchases. They do carry lots of packaged processed foods, but what about fresh produce, meats, etc.?
Never heard of Building 19.
It is definitely true in our area that “dollar” stores are many in low income neighborhoods. I think for some people this indicates a bargain or maybe just a comfort level that they can afford to buy some things there. Definitely true that many low income neighborhoods are food desserts with nary a supermarket in sight so YES, these type of stores can be a main source of securing food. Locally some food security orgs teamed up with convenience type stores in low income neighborhoods to have a display of fresh fruit/vegs. If you don’t have transportation you are buying what is within easy reach of your home.
Yesterday I had to stop at a Big Lots store (that’s the name - don’t know how widespread they are) for some storage bins for work. It was a newer store. Hadn’t been in a Big Lots since before COVID. I was surprised at how NOT cheap many things were! Prices were similar for many items as you might find at Target for instance. (though weirdly they had TONS of Bob’s Red Mill products - usually a pricey item at local grocers).
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A New England chain. The branch stores had names like Building 19½ and Building 19¾. The original was in an old shipyard where the buildings were numbered and the founders did not want to spend the money for new signage.
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Not sure where you’re from, @abasket , but Building 19 was a New England/northeast salvage/overstock store. We have Big Lots here in New England.
Ohio! So not New England!
Big Lots corporate headquarters are in Ohio so didn’t know if they were regional or national.
We have Big Lots - and Ollies - along with several Dollar Stores of various types, Dollar Tree included. All were good options to take the kids Christmas shopping when they were young. They could get a lot of gifts for $20.
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(When we were still working in an office) my office manager and I would raid Dollar Tree multiple times a year for holiday decorations, greeting cards and kitchen items like baggies, foil, etc. We would come back with bags of goodies and have spent $50-$75. I personally love the place for non-perishables, like baggies. When I went to Burning Man I bought a bunch of stuff like silverware, can opener, and even some dish towels. Stuff I was ok with getting trashed or sharing with others.
I will still shop there, and if we ever get back to office life as we knew it, I suspect we’ll raid the place several times a year as always!
Long live Dollar Tree!
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Awww now I’m sad. I get all my cards there. I just bought some ghosts to hand on a tree yesterday.
Cleaning supplies are good there. They have a low sugar juice drink there that I like and is much cheaper than at the traditional stores. Its also where I like to get my soap and similar stuff. I’ll still go.
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The Dollar Store is great for college kid holiday decorating packages. Just sent one of to a niece. $25 and the four roommates have Halloween decorations for their whole apartment. they are thrilled.
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Gift bags! Where else can you get a large gift bag for $1….or even $1.25?
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I get a lot of greeting cards there…send to elderly relatives often.
Yes, gift bags; holiday decs; containers for giving meals; readers, since
I have them (and lose them) everywhere.
Most importantly, rubber gloves. I try to make my polished long
nails last as long as possible.
I’d still go with a price increase…
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