Oh how I love the "Cheapy Store"

I promised forever ago that I would tell you guys about the "cheapy store". Here in Topeka it is called Capital City Surplus. But thinking back I have had one close to where I live in both Utah and Michigan as well. I Provo it was Reams and in Fremont it was Brookside Market. I have done a little research on the internet about these stores. They are called salvage grocery or banana box stores or scratch and dent stores. There are some chains that have begun to specialize in salvage grocery. I also understand the Amish also frequently run these stores. In Fremont the store is run by the Amish. This store here in Topeka is actually a warehouse that distributes these banana boxes. So they are only open to the public Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. And things are not as organized and you would find in many salvage grocery stores. There is a lot of digging and searching for what is available.

A salvage grocery store takes things that for a variety of reasons traditional grocery stores are not selling. Usually it is because the box or can is dented, the label is peeling, perhaps it is past its best by date, maybe there was an overstock of a certain item, they can be things that were limited edition items, or things that are no longer made. I am a firm believer that a dented box does not affect the taste of my hamburger helper. I am sometimes a little concerned about the best by dates. My mother told me that when she worked at Gerber one of the scientist there told her that food was good well beyond its best by date. I also think this is true in most cases. Or at least I hope it is because I rarely check the dates on things from my own pantry. Who knows how old some of the soup in there is.

Here is a picture of the items I bought on a typical trip to the Salvage store.

The total cost of these items was $7.35. Not bad right? I mean you could pick out just a few of these items and come up with $7. Although this is an example of how careful you need to be. The Justice League Teddy Grahams were rancid. Some things can be that way. They were well past their "best by" date. And since they obviously had oil in them I probably should have chosen not to purchase them. But I figure with how much I paid their was really no loss. That was an example of some limited special edition that the stores no longer sell. You can also see I bought soy chips. When at the store I rarely try things like this. I know I like potato chips. Why risk my money on a more expensive unknown? But for less than a dollar who cares. If I hate them, I know where the trash is.

I think I will list just a few of my favorite purchases from the cheapy store. Nutella, Jergens Natural Glow Lotion, John Frieda Blonde Highlights Shampoo and Conditioner, Pantene 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner, Icee Green Apple and Cherry Frozen Treats, a case of giant pretzels ($1), Edemame 16 servings ($2), giant bags of Nestle Semi-Sweet Morsels, Jiffy Baking Mix, Purina All Natural Cat Food, Johnny Cat Litter and Bags, Crest Tooth Paste, all kinds of cereal.

I get to try things that I normally wouldn't splurge on. For example I found some Kashi Orchard Spice Cereal there ($1.25) I have an old recipe for microwave cereal muffins. I thought that would be a good cereal to try it with and I was right. They were fabulous! With real apples and nuts and raisins in them.

So my advise is to look around in your area. Find a salvage store. Try it out. You might like it. You may not be able to do all of your shopping there but I usually go there first and then fill in the rest at a real store. If you need directions to the one in Fremont or want the recipe for microwave cereal muffins let me know.