For all you cynics out there who think you’re too good for the dollar store, it’s time to get off your high horses and prepare to have your minds expanded. If you haven’t been to the Dollar Tree lately, it’s a whole new world! I’ve always been a lover of garage sales, flea markets, street fairs, and other places you can find things that are quirky, random, and, well, cheap. The dollar store is one of these places. Admittedly, some dollar stores fit the stereotype to a T, offering goods like plastic costume jewelry, dented cans, defective toys, and fake Cheerios with names like "Happy-Os." But on a recent trip to the Dollar Tree with friends, we found ourselves gasping as we walked down each aisle, discovering treasure upon treasure neatly displayed on its shelves.
In the food department, this prime establishment now offers feta cheese, sourdough bread, red wine vinegar, teriyaki sauce, premium salad dressings, frozen sweet potato fries, and frozen soft pretzels, all of which you would pay at least three times as much for at your regular grocery store. Granted, you need to check the labels, because they definitely also sell quite a bit of the preservative-filled, sodium-laden, what-the-heck-ingredient-is-that type of food. But for someone who cares about her health and considers her food standards to be relatively high, they offer an impressive assortment of nutritious cuisine for a very low price. Still need convincing? My local Dollar Tree has an expansive selection of high-quality greeting cards, kitchen supplies, books, and health supplies. I’ve bought everything from beanies and microfiber towels to scrapbook supplies and sunscreen there, and, with the occasional exception (double-sided tape wasn’t so double-sided...), everything has proven to be surprisingly durable and reliable.
My one complaint about Dollar Tree? They are majorly understaffed. Only two lines open at 12 pm on a Saturday? Come on, now. Sparing me from the germ-infested crowd that formed the massive line at the store this past Saturday, Zack selflessly stood in line for about 20 minutes while I strolled throughout the aisles, trying to control my excitement and not run back to him with my arms filled with more treasures. I have to pace myself; I’ll save those for next time ;).
In the food department, this prime establishment now offers feta cheese, sourdough bread, red wine vinegar, teriyaki sauce, premium salad dressings, frozen sweet potato fries, and frozen soft pretzels, all of which you would pay at least three times as much for at your regular grocery store. Granted, you need to check the labels, because they definitely also sell quite a bit of the preservative-filled, sodium-laden, what-the-heck-ingredient-is-that type of food. But for someone who cares about her health and considers her food standards to be relatively high, they offer an impressive assortment of nutritious cuisine for a very low price. Still need convincing? My local Dollar Tree has an expansive selection of high-quality greeting cards, kitchen supplies, books, and health supplies. I’ve bought everything from beanies and microfiber towels to scrapbook supplies and sunscreen there, and, with the occasional exception (double-sided tape wasn’t so double-sided...), everything has proven to be surprisingly durable and reliable.
My one complaint about Dollar Tree? They are majorly understaffed. Only two lines open at 12 pm on a Saturday? Come on, now. Sparing me from the germ-infested crowd that formed the massive line at the store this past Saturday, Zack selflessly stood in line for about 20 minutes while I strolled throughout the aisles, trying to control my excitement and not run back to him with my arms filled with more treasures. I have to pace myself; I’ll save those for next time ;).
If you find a 99 cent store, they sell fresh produce, fresh bread, eggs, milk and more. I'd love to take you some time! I think there is one on Bascom..... ;D let's gooooo
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