If you know me, you know I love Big Lots. Surprisingly, it reminds me of TG&Y, the five-and-dime store I shopped at (and worked at briefly) as a kid. I absolutely remember the aisles and the place's layout; is that weird? Is that an odd thing to think about so many years later? One of the strangest things I recall about going to TG&Y was going to TG&Y -- how I got there. I would walk (by myself) from 2212 N. Mueller to the "little store" about six blocks away, or if I was feeling exceptionally adventeous, I'd walk the 2.2 miles to the "big store". So what, you say! People walk that far all the time. I did it, too, all the time. I was literally 7 years old.
Walking places back in the '60s wasn't hard to do, nor was it uncommon to see kids doing it. When I was under five, just under, I walked from 2212 N. Mueller in Bethany, OK, to the 3500 block of N. Mueller to the city library. I did that almost daily. My love of books is very, very well-seeded. I'd take them home, not realizing I wasn't supposed to. We'd find them under chairs, beds, in the bushes, wherever, and return them. I wasn't so much of a thief as I was a cherished fan of the place.
Anyway, back to Big Lots. It is literally one of my favorite little stores, and I will miss it terribly. I think Dollar General could be a good replacement, but it's not the same. It's like going to a petting zoo instead of one with big cats, polar bears, and gorillas. I mean, you still get the senses full, but it's just not the same, and it never will be. There is no replacement for TG&Y, and there will not be one for Big Lots either. (My mind is running through the days when I loved shopping at Tuesday Mornings!!)
So, it was today, another ordinary Friday, when Laura and I made our way to our Big Lots, the one that is in the neighborhood. We love it. It's going away permanently, and we know we'll miss it terribly on a weekly basis. Today, I decided to buy as much of the Caribou coffee as I could get my hands on since it was literally more than 60% off. I can't really express how happy I was to see a full 4o K-cup box for $7.80. If they had 10 boxes, I would have bought them all. At 17.7 cents per cup, you bet I would. I found a 90" x 90" fluffy blue blanket that is normally $19.99 -- I got it for $6.70!
Just as I was leaving, in fact, while I was going to check out, I found a really good sturdy dog chew toy that looked like it would withstand the jaws of a pitbull -- I bought it. It was only $2.00 (80% off), and that really put a smile on my face. I saw about 50 signs that said that February 27 is the last day the store will be open, so I may go back tomorrow just to score one or two more good deals. I'll think about putting them in my new "Christmas" box -- and hoard the items for 10 more months - that way, when I pull the box out and start wrapping the presents, I won't even remember what I bought! What a fun thing to do!
I think going back for anything I need, such as pens, paper, cleaning products, socks, candles, and yes, more good dog toys, should be done one more time -- as a way to say goodbye to the store as well as being the frugal and sensible person I am. It's a sad day but a good day -- and I really do hope another store like it will crop up. Then again, with all the online shopping I do and others, I imagine, it's no wonder the brick-and-mortar stores are closing. Life changes, times change, we all change -- some for good, some for worse.
Memories are made along the way.
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