99 Cent State

Man, I love me some dollar store. But not all dollar stores are created equal. And I consider myself a connoisseur of the dollar store. I’ve savored my moments at the Marukai 99 Cents store, finding adorable Japanese items and good food. I Unilocaled in excitement over Royal Bargains (a KNITTING SECTION. A dollar for needles!). I swoon at memories of the grandaddy of them all, the 99 Cents Only chain. So I’ve been searching for my go-​to dollar store since moving to Boston.
My search continues. Biggest problem: less than half the stuff costs more than 99 cents, often into the $ 5 – 15 range!
But boy, does this place entertain! It is a one-​stop shop for all your «made in China» needs. Pajamas, slippers, tools, bath mats, 3D special effects Lady of Guadalupe lamps, Hello Kitty items, 80s-​era accessories, kitchen knives, tiny guitars, cell phone holders, metric-​only measuring cups/​spoons. You name it, they got it. Better yet, you’ll find things you won’t be able to name, like the fiber-​optic-​string-​lit, covered-​in-​tiny-​packing-​styrofoam-​ball-​things-​made-​to-​look-​like-​snow nativity scene thing.
If you’re near Upham’s Corner, stop in, if only to marvel at the variety of stuff.