Mollie’s Bargain Barrel

Just over a week ago I went to Mollie’s Bargain Barrel in North East on Peninsula Drive (which is the road next to the Holiday Inn on Rt. 272). I found a small, but great, grocery salvage store. Mollie’s carries some canned goods, boxed meals, coffees, household cleaners, baby supplies, snacks, drinks and pet foods. I found a great assortment of foods and household items.

There were quite a few good deals, like Quaker Oatmeal Squares (smaller box) for $2.00. I also found Starbucks coffee, 12 oz size, for $5.00!!! I hope they have some more when I go back to get some this week. They also had several other brands of canned coffee if you don’t like the dark roast.

Most of the items were damaged goods rather than goods that are past their expiration date. They had a few cans of Vintage Seltzer that were dented free. I grabbed a few and left them in my van. I looked at one two days ago and the top of it was pushed up and expanded. It looked like it would explode if ever opened. I sure hope not because I forgot to take it out of the van!!! (So much for free being good when it comes to seltzer cans!).

Mollie’s has a small table and chairs with toys and coloring books for young children. The store is small enough so a mother can see her child playing as she shops. Very handy for busy moms! I also noticed that the staff was friendly and helpful.

Mollie’s is only open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10-4 pm. They may change the hours to be open Wednesday too but close, during the week, at 2 p.m.

Come out and investigate Mollie’s while supporting a local business.

Another Salvage Store?

On Saturday I was shopping in Community Hope Market and minding my own business. The aisle is narrow and as I pushed my cart one way, an older woman pushed her cart the other way. When our carts met in the aisle she said to me, “This place is not that cheap!” I did agree with her because many of their prices seem to be close to regular grocery store prices. The price increases seem to have happened since I wrote my article on salvage stores.

In a conspiratorial whisper, this woman tells me to go to a salvage store, she didn’t know the name of it, in New Castle by the Farmer’s Market where 13 and 40 meet. You go in back of the old restaurant called Captain’s Quarters. There are some buildings back there and it is on the left (or was that the right?). I tell her I will definitely check it out.

That is, if I can find it! I have searched many web sites and can’t find anything about it. If I locate it, I will let you know. Does anyone else know about this store?

In my searches, I came across a great article and a blog that I didn’t know about! The article is on salvage stores and the author lists stores by state. He lists a salvage store right here in North East that I read about in the newspaper but have yet to go see.

Molly's Bargain Barrel, 101 Peninsula Drive, Ph 443.309.4548

Looks like a field trip is in order!

Another Grocery Salvage Store

A few weeks ago, someone asked the Cecil County Freecycle Discussion List, what are everyone’s favorite places to shop for bargains. I sent in a link to this blog and to my articles on thrift and consignment shops and salvage groceries. One of the other people on the list responded that there is another grocery outlet in Lancaster called Amelia’s Grocery Outlet. I looked at the web site and it looks like worthwhile to investigate if you up that way.

Salvage Groceries and Other Discount Places to Shop

Years ago, when I lived in California, there was a salvage grocery store called Canned Foods. Since then the chain has become Grocery Outlet and expanded in both the locations and types of food it has. I often wished there was a large, salvage store here in Cecil County. A salvage store is a store with damaged cans and boxes, or outdated foods or boxes in a different language. These goods are usually fine to eat but can’t be sold in a regular grocery store. Frugal Village has a good article this week on grocery salvage stores. It also has a link to help locate stores.
Nearby, we have a few options, one of which is the Big Lots on Route 40 in Elkton. Since this is nearby, I end up here about once a month. They have lots of non-refrigerated foods here too. You need to know your prices so you can tell if you are getting a good deal or not. They have quite a few international types of foods and gourmet oils and vinegars.
Another place that I would love to go to is BB’s in Quarryville, PA. They are only open particular days , are an Amish run business and only take cash. I haven’t been here but please leave information about your shopping experience in the comments section if you have been there.
Community Hope Market is at 750 Otts Chapel Rd. in Newark in an old Gore building. It has an amazing array of food, clothing, toys and lots of other things too numerous to name. This is a not for profit market whose proceeds go towards the upkeep and establishment of community playing fields and other healthy activities for families. I never know what I will find here when I go. They take bank card.
What are some of your grocery salvage or other discounted shopping sources?