Grocery Shopping at the dollar store


I recently moved from the Los Angeles area to the Tulsa area of Oklahoma. One particular thing that I mourned about (out of the many) when I moved, was the coming absence of...

99 Cents Only Stores!!!

I just HAVE to rant and rave about this particular brand of dollar store, because it is THE BEST. I miss it so much. I mean, there is "Dollar Tree" out here in OK, which is a good brand too. Can't complain too much. Except it's not 99 Cents Only.

Wouldn’t it be nice if a dollar store sold fresh food? Enter the 99 cents only stores where nothing is over 99 cents…ever. This chain was founded in 1982 and now boasts more than 260 stores in California, Nevada, Arizona and Texas. Their total sales for fiscal year 2006 totaled one billion dollars.

Picture a grocery-store sized building full of nothing over 99 cents. And, yes, there's fresh produce, among many other goodies, some name brand. I can't even count how many times my family feasted on frozen Bertolli pasta, the same ones at the grocery store selling for $7, from the "99 cents only" store. Or Stouffers frozen sandwiches. Or Yoplait. Or San Pelligrino Aranciata drinks.

There's something for everyone here. Some products are generic or private label brand made specifically for that company. Other merchandise is purchased from another store that has had an overstock or close-out sale. You might find items that were manufactured for a special promotion or event and are now out of date or sales have slowed too much to keep it in stock.

The place has everything from canned goods and other basic grocery items, plus health and beauty aids. The inventory varies and not everything is name brand. I've gotten grapes, strawberries, lemons, limes, lettuce, tomatoes, and tons of other food. I've gotten pregnancy tests, toothpaste, baby teething gel, baby wipes, sparkling water, hangers and even a really cute size 18 month old outfit, all for 99 cents. And that's the tip of the iceberg.

These kinds of stores, until recently, were thought of as being in low income areas and shopped by low income people who didn’t mind some off brand merchandise if they could save money. If that were ever true, that’s changed with the spiraling cost of food and gasoline. Now, we’re all looking for a bargain.

The best thing of all is the new 99 Cent Only Cookbook : gourmet recipes at discount prices. Talk about inspiration. These are truly gourmet preparations -- and every single ingredient can be purchased at the 99 Cents Only Store.

If you live in one of the above four states, LUCKY YOU! I miss it soooo much.