Molly Malone – I think Namelus has the right idea. It sounds to me as though the local grocery stores in your area sell their inventory on to salvage or outlet grocers as it approaches its best buy or expiration date(s). I checked on extremebargains.net just now and didn’t see any such grocers listed there for NYC but that list is not complete, and I expect there are some in your general area – although maybe not right in NYC itself due to the high cost of real estate there and what that would do to the merchant’s overhead. Such stores rarely have to advertise because they generally get a lot of “word-of-mouth” customers. So, the best way to find some might be to a) check the local phone directory, b) ask other shoppers if they know of any “salvage” or “outlet’ or “discount” or “Dent and Bent” grocery stores, or c) contact the Chamber of Commerce and/or Better Business Bureau and ask them the same thing. Calling or visiting (if it’s safe for a lady to do so) the Harbor or Port Authority office would be a good idea too since, from what I have heard, many salvage/outlet/dent and bent grocery stores buy a lot of their inventory at auctions of damaged goods that are held at or near ports of entry. If you can find out who holds those auctions, you may be able to contact the auctioneer(s) to learn the names of the grocers who buy inventory there. I know it sounds like a lot of work but I think that the savings you’d get (particularly on canned good and pantry staples) would be worth the effort. I shop at salvage/outlet/dent and bent grocery stores every month and, literally, save 50-75% on the cost of what those same groceries would cost me at my typical local supermarket. It’s been a real blessing for me since I don’t have a pension to supplement my Social Security retirement benefits.
