The Dollar Tree Shopping Experience

Dollar stores across America are popular among bargain shoppers, since you can find some great deals for only $1. Dollar Tree is a well-known dollar store, with everything from food products to holiday decorations for only a buck!

The Great Southern Shopping Center in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, has many stores in the shopping mall, including Dollar Tree. It has been in 3 different locations within the mall, with the current location being right between Big Lots and Tuesday Morning, in the old Sears Hardware building. Dollar Tree used to be on the other side of the mall, near the old Crazy Horse bar, until a fire destroyed that whole corner, including Dollar Tree and several other stores. That corner of the shopping center has since been demolished, and those stores affected by the fire have moved to alternate locations in the mall.

Sometimes dollar stores can really be dirty, messy and unorganized. Dollar Tree in Great Southern Shopping Center is always clean, and the merchandise is always organized and in the right spots. I like the new location of Dollar Tree, it's much bigger than the other locations. The store is also well lit with bright lights.

Among Dollar Tree's merchandise, you can find tons of wrapping and tissue paper, gift bags, ribbon and other gift materials. Dollar Tree is especially popular at Christmas time, because you can't beat $1.00 for a roll of wrapping paper and $1.00 for a pack of tissue paper. Dollar Tree always has a wide variety of paper to choose from.

Cleaning supplies can be found at Dollar Tree, most of which are comparable to the brand-name products you would find at the grocery store. Everything from toilet bowl cleaner, dish soap, laundry detergent furniture polish, sponges, gloves, air fresheners, liquid plumber and oven cleaner can be found at Dollar Tree, all for only $1.00 each!

My favorite things to buy at Dollar Tree are candles. You can buy 4 scented votives for $1.00, a beautiful glass votive holder for $1.00 and even jar candles for $1.00. Compare these prices to Yankee Candle or Partylite prices, and you are walking away with a steal. Most of these candles smell just as a good, although they don't offer quite as large of a scent variety as the popular candle stores. Potpourri, aroma simmers and incense can all be found at Dollar Tree as well.

Kitchen items can be found here as well. When I first moved into my apartment, I went to Dollar Tree for all of my basic items - a spatula, cheese grater, oven mitts, kitchen towels, tongs and more. Along with these items, you can find dishes, glasses, coffee mugs, cloth napkins, flatware and simple cookware. The cookware isn't very durable, so I wouldn't recommend buying non-stick pans at Dollar Tree.

Other items, that are expensive at the grocery store, can be found at Dollar Tree for just a $1.00. Paper towels, plastic cups, toilet paper, aluminum foil, sandwich bags, aluminum bake ware, paper plates, plastic wrap, garbage bags, and more. Why spend $3.00 for a box of name brand aluminum foil, when you can buy the same amount of foil for $1.00. While it may not be the same quality, $3.00 seems like a lot for 50 ft of foil when I can get it for $1.00.

With Valentine's Day coming up, I bought a lot of Valentine's Day party accessories for the party I'm having. I bought decorations, greeting cards, red plastic cups, silk flowers, vases, favors, candy and even balloons. Yes, balloons. Dollar Tree has a wide variety of balloons, both latex and mylar, that you can have blown up for your special occasion. Prices vary per balloon, but I know latex balloons are 2 for $1.00. Other party supplies can be bought here as well, including wedding accessories. For the bride on a budget, you can find favors, invitations and other little special touches for your big day. Before you spend a lot of money on those little things, see if Dollar Tree has it first.

When it's time to check out, I'm happy that Dollar Tree accepts debit cards and checks. Sometimes I just don't have cash on me, and my debit card is my best friend! If you plan on writing a check, Dollar Tree processes it as an electronic debit, meaning it will automatically come out of your account, and then you receive the voided check in return. Dollar Tree offers the cash back option on debit card transactions as well.

Overall, I enjoy every shopping trip to Dollar Tree in Great Southern Shopping Center, as well as other Dollar Tree stores in my area. The employees are always friendly and helpful, and I can almost always find what I need when I walk into the store. If you live in the Bridgeville area and have not yet checked out Dollar Tree in Great Southern, I suggest you get there soon!