I had to run out the other day to vote - while out I ran a couple errands. One thing I did was to run into a sort of new store I had not been in. Now I have been in each store separately, but this is a new combo! This store has been open for a couple months - so went in and checked it out.
It was the new combo of Family Dollar and Dollar Tree! This store was huge!!!!!! It used to be a grocery store back in the day - and it was a big store. Later this same place had been a huge consignment thrift store.
Not sure about you, but it seems any time I go into either of these stores, they are messy and not the cleanest and the lighting is dark. ICK
Well, this store was lovely. Maybe because it is newer, maybe just the management, who knows - I just know it was a pleasure to go through it. The staff was very friendly.
Half of the store was all Dollar Store items (1.25 now). The other half is Family Dollar items. The shelves were stocked full. You name it, they had it. It actually seemed each side had more variety than any stand-alone store that I have been in (of these 2).
Now there are things I won't buy - but many I would. I got some treats and goodies for my teens I make up goody bags for at Christmas. They are teens, and like GC's and money - but they just love getting fun treats as well! Always a kid!
I even got myself a couple pair of new reader's (glasses) that are just too cute and cost 1.25 each!!! They work perfectly and will be great until I get to the eye doctor for prescription readers.
You do need to pay attention to pricing though! My favorite throat lozenges were on Dollar Tree side for $1.25 - same thing on the Family Dollar side was $1!!!!!!!! There weren't many things that I saw that way - but some were cheaper on the Family side. Crazy!
So if you have one of these places popping up around you - check it out. Bags, cards, ribbons, throws, candies and treats, arts & crafts, holiday things, household pretties, and they even had some clothes (sweats, etc.).
It was a fun experience, and so much to choose from.
Have a great day!
(Little Penpen) that sounds like a fun store! Funny the cough drops were cheaper on the expensive side. Lol
ReplyDeleteIt was kind of fun to go through. I thought the same thing about the cough drops. Pays to keep your eyes open.
DeleteWe have just a small Dollar Tree. It's always immaculate and organized, which I hear is a rare and lucky thing! I do like to browse, but I don't buy a lot. Always less than $10. I don't buy anything consistently, but usually find some treasures. My last great find was a mini tongs that hubs can take for work potlucks. My friend is currently making Christmas ornaments from the Jenga type blocks they sell.
ReplyDeleteHubs stopped by Aldi for butter...
Wackadoodle weather. Warm yesterday and supposed to abruptly turn cold sometime this morning. I'm currently wearing a summer dress and barefoot with windows open and the fans on lol.
Immaculate and organized - rare!
DeleteYou can find all kinds of fun things. I get birthday cards there a lot.
We get that weather in a day or so. YAY on the butter!
I love Dollar Tree! My husband was just in a Family Dollar and he was so excited to get great deals on large packs of toilet paper and paper towels for the office, and both of these companies (same owner) are good companies to support according to Second Vote too. It's a great idea to have both in the same building! Perfect! I'm so glad someone took some smart pills on that! Dollar Tree has a wonderful site with a blog and craft ideas and everything! Family Dollar's site has some nice values on children's toys and all kinds of things. A long time ago I would go to dollar general and purchase our daughter's old fashioned looking 18" dolls, we could not afford american girl dolls and these were very sweet looking at dg anyhow.... and one year even walking dolls! (remember those?) That is so funny that you found the same lozengers at the Family Dollar section! Ha, ha, ha!!! It definitely pays to shop both ends of store right?
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed hearing about your wowee shopping trip! I have got to get to a dollar tree or family dollar soon! I must! So, so fun! Love, love love!
Blessings!
It does make since - and one register for all. No having to separate things. There are always a lot of craft things and lots of toys. It is fun just looking around. There was a lot more stuff than just a stand-alone store would have.
DeleteHope you get to go soon!
I'd love to have a combined store here. We have separate Dollar Tree and Family Dollar nearby, as well as Dollar General. Our son lives higher up the mountain, about a half hour away, and in his very remote area there are only those stores and a small market; he buys most of his food and sundries at the dollar stores. Family Dollar carries more brand name goods and you can really save! They also have markdowns, so keep an eye out for those. Sometimes there's a section of them, sometimes just collections on end caps.
ReplyDeleteIf you're into crafting at all, it's THE place to get craft supplies with good savings even over Walmart. Ditto greeting cards. If you're doing gift bags or gift baskets for Christmas, you won't find any better prices on scented candles. I get all my dry pasta from dollar stores, as well as rice and beans/lentils. Got 2 two pound bags of name brand organic white rice at half off recently. Vegetable oil is also cheaper than Walmart, I've found. We're huge fans of dollar stores in my family. LOL!
Wouldn't it be something if we all lived close enough to shop as a group? Ah, well. We can share our experiences here and I love that. No shopping for me today. It's snowy, cold and mucky.
--Elise
Some rural areas do only have those stores - nice that they all carry food now.
DeleteI always get my cards, and any gift bags I need. My baskets always have a few items from these places. Great for candy and jerky sticks and stuff the kids like.
I do enjoy walking these stores - always some treasure to be found.
Stay warm and cozy. It is in the 70's and sunny today. That changes come Saturday!
They have just opened one near where my mom lives, in an old Walgreens they closed. I've not yet been there, will need to give it a try. There are a few items I like to get at Dollar Tree, but I find that I have to watch closely where items are made. Grabbed a tube of toothpaste there one time, made in China. But my favorite face cream has never been an issue and it's the only place I've seen it.
ReplyDeleteYep, you do need to watch things. Sometimes you can get brand names and some not. I always check things too.
DeleteYou need to go and just look around. It is pretty neat!
Lori, also watch your over counter medications and vitamin supplements at Walmart and Sams. Some of those are made in China too! I was shocked!
DeleteI'm sorry to reply again, I forgot but even frozen vegetables are sometimes from China. I've seen that from Dollar Tree all the way to Whole Foods. : O
DeleteWhile we have Dollar Tree here in Canada, we don't have Family Dollar so I suspect I won't see one of these. I agree, however, that many of the dollar stores seem to be dark and not the cleanest. I've been going to one of the two new Dollarama's even though they are little further away for this exact reason. And I haven't visited the Dollar Tree for some time because it was even worse.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good trip to the new store - it's always fun to check out a newly opened business.
It seems that for some reason many of these type of stores are sure poorly managed. I have heard they pay decent.
DeleteIt was fun. New places are always nice to explore a little.
I would love to go into one of these stores!
ReplyDeleteIt sure was fun! A bit of everything.
DeleteIn our small town we have two Dollar General and one Dollar Tree. The Dollar Tree is immaculate,well organized and we'll managed. I don't visit the DG very often. The next bigger town north has a Dollar Tree...dirty, stinky and a big mess. Go figure.
ReplyDeleteI like getting Dollar Tree greeting cards, gift bags, foil pans for gifting meals, some cleaning items and some seasonal items. But when things went to $1.25, I had to get much more selective with what I bought there to be sure it wasn't higher than other places. Oh, I often pick up dishtowels there for little gifts. Seems everyone can always use a pretty seasonal and fresh dishtowel.
Well, I still got most of what you mentioned there - as nowhere else around here sells those things any cheaper. Foil baking pans I did get at DG for $1 - but that was one.
DeleteIt has to be all in management - some are clean and others not. You would think corporate would get angry about it. Love the little dish towels!
We don't have one of those kind of stores but it sounds like a very interesting idea. Our dollar store and dollar tree are very clean so I would say management has a great deal to do with how the stores are looked after.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
From what I understand Family Dollar purchased Dollar Tree a while back and now there are starting to be stores combining the two.
DeleteI think you are right.
What a fun store! Some of the Dollar General stores around here are filthy. Dollar Tree is usually pretty good. Haven't been in a Family Dollar in a while. Listened to a fellow on YouTube and he was talking about how Dollar Tree's prices had gone up and he attributed it to the economy. Not so. DT was purchased by FD before all this mess. Shows ya what he knows. ha! We like Dollar Tree for lots of little items. I found short handled silicone spoons and ladles. We buy lots of containers for the garden, for harvesting and mixing soils. The greeting card selection is extensive and reasonable.
ReplyDeleteLooking for some cold temps but I know you are well prepared!
Yes the two companies are now combined. I don't think 1.25 is too much for most things. I mean they had no increase for years and years. But then it is 25% increase - so folks don't like that.
DeleteI agree, I love their cards and wrapping and several other items. Can't be purchase that cheap other places.
Get ready to say brrrrrr!
Thx to who mentioned the Aldi sale on butter! Picked some up on my errands..Also, dropped by a couple of thrift stores just to see if I saw potential Christmas gifts but the selection was low. Sometimes I hit a good day and another time is nothing. I hadn't been in awhile and was hoping to find more winter clothes for my little grandson. Got 2 shirts but that was all they had in his size. Might just have to sew him a few things if I can find some good fabric sales or remnants.
ReplyDelete~margaret
Yay, glad you got some of the butter. That is a nice sale, compared to recent prices.
DeleteI haven't been thrifting in a while. I just don't think about it anymore. I need to take a day and go out - many times you can get so many nice things. Other than gifts, I need nothing - so maybe that is why I don't go!! LOL
Maybe buy some thrifted adult (mens) shirts and use the material for making his shirts. That would be cheaper. Have fun.
I was thinking just that Cheryl! There's plenty of fabric in men's large clothes!
Delete~margaret
Great minds!!!!!!
DeleteWhat a neat concept to combine both of them! Interesting pricing on the throat lozenges. I’ll have to see if we are getting one here, I would love to go inside one.
ReplyDeleteIt really is a fun place to walk around and look.
DeleteWe just have one open up not too far from us. Now I want to go check it out. thanks for the evaluation :)
ReplyDeleteYou bet! I hope yours is as good. I saw a friend post today on FB and she went to the same one I did - and she loved it.
Delete