PITTSBURGH,None — Bottom Dollar Food is opening seven stores in the Pittsburgh area on January 26, and another five stores on February 9. The first 200 customers in line will get a free bag of groceries.
The discount grocer promises prices that are 10 to 50-percent lower than most supermarkets.
I was invited in for a special tour and was impressed. For a discount grocery store, the layout was quite nice. I had expected to see items still in cardboard boxes, but everything was neatly stacked on the store shelves, as you would find in a traditional grocery store.
Bottom Dollar Food is owned by Delhaize America, the parent company of Food Lion. The discount grocery store started in the Southeast in 2005 and is now expanding into Western Pennsylvania and Ohio.
The stores are smaller than most supermarkets, but they carry a wide variety of brand name products, and they're known for their low prices.
Tom Anderson is the Director of Operations for Bottom Dollar Food and he game me a tour of the new store in Penn Hills.
"An item like bananas, 39 cents, that's our everyday price," said Anderson as we walked through the produce department.
I did a price check, and that's 15 cents cheaper per pound than at Giant Eagle.
Unlike a warehouse club, where everything comes in large quantities, at Bottom Dollar Food you can find individual servings.
"If people are looking for a single-serve grilling steak we have that. If they're looking for a multi-pack, we have that too," said Anderson.
For their grand opening, Bottom Dollar Food is running lots of specials, such as a 12-pack of Coke for $2.48, or a 3-pound tube of ground beef for 99-cents.
"This is sold this week as, 'while supplies lasts,'" said Anderson.
I found a big box of Cheerios is on special for $1.99. That's $2 to $3 cheaper than most grocery stores.
I also talked to Mike Roberts, a store manager, who thinks customers will be thrilled with the savings.
"At the national brand level, you're looking at a major discount, major discount," said Roberts.
Bottom Dollar Food will not double coupons, although they will match a competitor's price, and they will beat it by a penny. You also have to box your own groceries. They sell reusable shopping bags and offer cardboard boxes for free.
Grand opening ceremonies, at all five stores, begin at 7:30 tomorrow morning, with the stores opening at eight. Again, the first 200 customers will get a free bag of groceries.
Seven stores are opening on Thursday, January 26 at 7:30 a.m.
12012 Frankstown Road, Penn Hills, Pa
1160 Washington Avenue, Carnegie, Pa
1155 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, Pa
2011 Sheffield Road, Aliquippa, Pa
7350 Saltsburg Road, Pittsburgh, Pa
5239 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh, Pa
Another five stores are opening on Thursday, February 9.
300 Mount Lebanon Blvd., Castle Shannon, Pa
651 11th Street, Ambridge, Pa
750 Butler Crossing Shopping Center, Butler, Pa
196 Bon Aire Plaza, Butler, Pa
WPXI