Those of us with a black belt in shopping have ample opportunity
to exercise our skill in Gilroy, the astrodome of retail. Within
our taxable borders, we have malls, outlets and a quaint downtown
to practice and perfect our sport.
Those of us with a black belt in shopping have ample opportunity to exercise our skill in Gilroy, the astrodome of retail. Within our taxable borders, we have malls, outlets and a quaint downtown to practice and perfect our sport.
We’ve got one of the Bay Area’s newest Kohl’s. It’s big, beautiful and full of wonderful 40, 50, and 60 percent off sales every week. Their return policy leaves a bit to be desired but finding things to buy is never a problem.
We’ve got a wonderful Wal-Mart and will soon have a super, duper, massive Wal-Mart (have you seen the size of that building???) At discount prices, you can buy everything from material to plants to toys to clothes to diamond watches to a McDonald’s hamburger.
We’ve even got our very own Costco. (A Costco where you don’t have to stand in line for a half hour to buy a two-pack gallon of milk!) Folks make fun of the amounts you have to purchase but no one complains about the quality – first class all the way.
(I do wish someone would have realized that there’s only one way in and one way out of all those new shops – Tenth Street has become a local nightmare, especially on weekends. We’re going to have to start zagging down Hollahan road once the Super Wal-Mart opens!)
But the most amazing shopping phenomenon in town is the advent of the dollar store. I have to admit, I kind of don’t get it.
Yes, I remember the “dime store” era, but those shoppers were usually under the age of 10 intent on buying penny candy. I even remember when Newberry’s – Gilroy’s dime store – operated on the site of the new and improved Safeway store.
I do see some little shoppers in our current how-cheap-can-it-be stores. But, there’s also a lot of adults wearing their game face, holding shopping lists and pushing carts.
I’m mystified by the dollar store’s success and have been trying to figure it out.
Every Wednesday, I help our 80-year-old aunt “run” errands. The first part of our errand day is usually spent going to the bank, pharmacy and cemetery. The last part hosts the weekly Dollar Store marathon.
As soon as we enter, I start a mental countdown: Rounding the first corner, “one aisle down, 13 to go.” Second corner, “two down, 12 to go.” If she’s in her walker instead of her wheelchair, we sometimes get to skip a couple of the aisles (paint brushes, toys, etc.). But more often than not, we spend close to three hours going up and down all 14. By then, her cart is filled to overflowing and we start the “how much do you think this will cost” game. A fully loaded cart has never been more than $55. I’ll admit, that is amazing.
At first, I thought it was just a Wednesday ritual that Aunt D enjoyed, but my in-laws got hooked the minute the finished their first shopping spree in the 99 cent store on Tenth. Both of them can diddle around in that place for hours. They come home with bags of goodies, sheepish grins and stories about all the fun they had making their fine purchases.
In spite of the giddiness of a good deal, I don’t think the allure of Dollar Stores has anything to do with how many bags you get for the buck.
Nor do I think it has anything to do with the merchandise. The stock is always shifting and highly unpredictable. Anyone with a list will probably have to make another shopping stop to get everything they need.
I think it’s about the entertainment. The shelves are full of items that beg to be touched, handled or talked about. “How do they make something like this for a dollar?” Or, “Imagine that, a bunch of bananas for 99 cents.” Or, “How does the store make money with prices like this?”
On a couple of occasions, I’ve bought a gift bag or a plastic table cloth, but so far, no edibles. I’m suspicious of food that costs less than half of what it costs in a grocery store. I always remember the words of wisdom spoken by my Shopping Queen Mentor (mom), “Buyer beware: You get what you pay for.”
