Family Dollar

i was walking back to my car after going here recently on a hot day and i noticed 3 kids (i’d guesstimate 6 years old-​ish) left in the backseat of a parked car next to mine. the windows were let down only slightly, i assume for air flow or whatever; parents no where to be found. they were looking at me so i smiled and waved at them to be friendly. one kid said to me, «yo babe lemme suck on yo titties». IM NOT SHITTING YOU. i can’t believe the vocabulary of someone that young could be so brash! perhaps it has something to do with the absence of parenting!
some days the cashiers are really nice to me. other days it’s as if i am a ghost — and i feel it may partly have to do with me being white as a ghost. same goes for the other patrons. i’ve had friendly conversations with some folks while i’ve been shoved by others when being passed in an aisle. you never know what level of ignorance you will be dealing with in a day. it won’t stop me from coming here yet, but it’s a force to be contended with!
it is right next to my local grocery store so i strolled in my first time curious to see what would be the best way to spend a dollar. now i come here once or twice a month. i typically get here:
1) large garbage bags — varying quantities for $ 1, $ 3, or $ 5… for 50−75% less than i’d typically pay
2) toilet paper — a bit cheaper for the quality stuff but not jaw dropping cheap. qualities, quantities and prices vary so you can get a crappy 4-​pk for $ 1 or a lil better for a lil more.
3) reusable water bottles — ive got 3 different shapes and sizes for everyone in my household… 64 oz for the daily drinking, 32 oz for when going to the gym, 20 oz for smoothies/​shakers which even has a filter all for $ 1 to $ 3 dollars each.
4) cheap scented candles for $ 1. i light candles all the time around the house. i go through em fast so it’s good to have some cheaper ones around for everyday aromas. besides i save the glasses when done for crafts.
5) dishwasher pellets — a big box full of em. the same brand i get at Dominicks or Fairplay for a hellava lot cheaper.
6) cleaning items — cheap mops, sponges, washcloths… sometimes even soaps and cleaners
i’d like to see this place turnaround. but it takes a community to do that. i am sure i am not the only one waiting for the day they didn’t have to loop the intercom message that we are being watched, keep all items of interest visible, and that there is a team of guards waiting to crack down on theft. REALLY? theft at a dollar store is a real LOW.

I’ve been to a few Family Dollar Stores since I moved to Chicago, and I frankly just don’t care for the places. Some of them are at least decent and cleaned-​up and respectable in appearance, but this location was a bit shabbier than most I’ve been to.
My first inkling that this isn’t the best Family Dollar out there was when I couldn’t get in because one of the employees was shouting halfway down the parking lot to someone she knew. Could have been a co-​worker or a friend, but all I know is that she chose to have the conversation while leaning out the open door and yelling, blocking the entrance and annoying me with her shrill screeching voice. She noticed me standing there after 20 seconds and said, «you coming in?» I nodded, but rather than leave the doorway, she squeezed two inches closer to the door frame and I had to pretty much push my way in-​between just to attempt to be their customer.
I sadly remained in the «not their customer» category at the end of it, since he only things that I was tempted to buy either 1) had no price tag in sight or 2) were just as expensive (if not more) than I could get at a more reputable store.
That’s what I don’t get about «Family Dollar Store». It’s not like Dollar Tree where almost everything is $ 1. It’s not even like all things are priced to the dollar, since about 40% of the items have cents involved. And 60% may be a majority, but it’s not enough to consider yourself a dollar-​based store.
I can understand that the title may be implying that you can «stretch your dollar» to get what you need «for your family» — but if it’s not a generic/​FDS brand, you’re usually paying pull price anyway. At least that’s the impression I got from this store in particular.