Shopping For Steals
THE BEST PLACES TO STOCK UP FOR YOUR NEW DORM ROOM
So you just said your good-byes to your family. You go up to your room, meet your new roommate and look around at the Plain Jane set up. Whether it be Porter Hall, Neumann or Perry Hall, the situation is always the same. You will walk into a barren room with the bare essentials of living. Let’s be honest, if you don‘t do something quick to spruce up your surroundings you‘re likely to go mad in this box. The walls are a muted slate color, the cold tiled floor is a complementary beige and you have yet to get a bed set, rug, or window treatments. It needs some personality. Also that little refrigerator your parents bought you is empty. Here are some of the best places to shop for your dorm room and save money while you’re doing it.
TARGET
2626 Delaware Ave
*Getting There
-Catch the 20 (Direction: From Downtown) get off at Tops Super Cinema Plaza.
Do look for the dorm specials. Target usually has back to school sales with up to 50% off of dorm room essentials including bedding sets, pillows, appliances (dorm-approved of course), pots and pans, rugs, etc. Although its not the cheapest place you can go, Target offers great quality items that can possibly last you for your entire 4-year college experience.
This location also offers a full grocery section. Not only can you go shopping for essential dorm room items, but you can also do a little food shopping.
Don’t do too much grocery shopping as Target’s prices for groceries are not among the list of bargain shopping spots. That is where we come to next.
TOPS
*Getting There
-Fortunately there are two TOPS Markets that you can familiarize yourself with. The closest is on 345 Amherst St., literally a block away from the new Student Apartment Complex. However, if its really late, don’t walk. Take the campus Metro circulator (207) to get to this location. There are stops at Cleveland Circle, Rockwell Hall and in front of Tower 1. It runs all throughout the day at 20 minute intervals. You can look up its schedule by clicking here. The other location is in the same plaza as Target.
Sign Up for the TOPS Bonus Card. At this supermarket, the discount card is actually put to good use as bonus card members are eligible for some serious deals, anywhere from 15 to 20% off of regular prices.
Kmart
*Getting There
-Catch the 20 (Direction: From Downtown) Get off at Hertel Avenue. Make a right unto Hertel Avenue and walk until you reach Delaware Avenue. That will be about 3 to 4 blocks up. Kmart is in a plaza that also includes Dunkin Donuts and Rainbow (clothing).
I actually just came across Kmart this weekend by chance. I’ve only had one experience with Kmart and that was back at home with the Kmart on 34th St. in Manhattan. That one could not hold a candle to the deals I found at the Kmart on Hertel Avenue here in Buffalo. It mirrors Target however the products are about 10% cheaper. Same brands, same quality, just cheaper. You can go here for dorm decorating and do some snack shopping. They even sell brand cosmetics at a discounted price, maybe around 15 to 20% off. The electronic department also sells laptop/mp3 speakers for as low as $7.99. You can check out the local ad for this location by clicking here.