Family Dollar

It’s a controlled disaster inside, but it’s my kind of controlled disaster.
The problem this Family Dollar has (and it’s not really a problem) is that they just have so many different products to sell! The aisles feel crowded – because they are. That said, you can find anything and everything you may need here. I always go with a specific item in mind, which is good because I’d probably be overwhelmed with options otherwise. The clientele is a colorful sort, as are the employees. Still, if you need something on the cheap, this spot is going to do you just fine.
Great for cat food!

I cannot believe I am writing a review for a Family Dollar. Things I do to procrastinate and not do my work! (writing). But seriously it’s the best pharmacy-​type store in the neighborhood, except that it doesn’t have an actual pharmacy. But it does pretty much have everything else at ridiculously discounted prices. True, you won’t find fancier brands there, but all the basics and more are there — anything from kids’ beach toys to great household products to most medications, both brand names and their own brand, to basic food items. It’s super well organized, and the employees are very friendly, especially the guy who works at the register (I think he is Dominican, but I am not sure — I might ask for his name and update the review, because he is really super nice and funny). I still wish we had a CVS or a Rite Aid on my block, as I can’t find three things I regularly use at Family Dollar — my brand of shampoo, floss, and tampons. Now I just order them online or pick them up in Central or Harvard. Still, Family Dollar is the place we go when we realize we ran out of milk before our toddler’s bedtime (happens a lot), they are open late (until 10pm, I think). Also, despite the many fancy toys that he has, he loves that random $ 2 Spider-​Man ball and his baby version of the $ 6 Adirondack chair acquired at Family Dollar. Love that we have Family Dollar on the block!

Mmm Family Dollar.
I shop here because its the closest store to my office that isn’t the over priced gas station across the street.
I typically get my lunch soda’s there, maybe some smokes, or buy an occasional house ware item for my home. Staff are always pleasant, but sometimes seem pre-​occupied with talking with each other. BUT That’s OK.
Location cannot be beat. Near my work, and right on Cambridge Street, just a shy south of the heart of Inman Square. However, there’s VERY limited parking (a city-​owned pay lot and on-​street parking), but it’s also right off the 69 MBTA bus route.
Selection is great. Its a Family Dollar, so you’ll have a mix of housewares, food, home & garden stuff, electronics, etc. A cornucopia of different items. Its rare they don’t have something I need.
Price is right, here. It’s Family Dollar so its hella cheap.
The store is great now that they remodeled it a few months ago. Now the aisles make sense, and go to the back of the store. The checkouts were re-​arranged so they are more functional. They consolidated different departments so it just makes better sense.
My only real complaint about Family Dollar is that they don’t take charge cards! (You can pay with a debit card, however)
I’m sure I’ll be back on Monday, as I need to pick up a 12pack of soda for my office.

My office recently moved from downtown Boston, where my usual crap/​snacks/​office equipment store was a common CVS, to Inman Square where I can buy my assorted crap at Family Dollar.
And what a treat! I’ve actually been alarmed at how cheap the tchotchkes, snacks, and other miscellany are at Family Dollar. $ 2 for a thermos? $ 4 for a silverware set? $ 1.40 for knockoff Girl Scout cookies? What’s not to like? I’ll tell you: NOTHING. Family Dollar has displaced CVS, Rite Aid, and convenience stores as my go-​to source for random, inexpensive items.

Close, convenient and cheap. Eggs, cream, OJ, all the stuff you need when too lazy to schlep to Shaws.

As a cheapo college student and someone who grew up spending most of his weekends being dragged to garage and estate sales, I’ve well learned to appreciate good deals. Family Dollar is a cornucopia of good deals, if you can live with the place being a bit run down and the sometimes… interesting… clientele.
Basically, take anything you might find at CVS or Wallgreens or Rite Aid, and you’ll find it for at least a dollar or two cheaper here. Sometimes really good steals can be had — a full-​length mirror for $ 5, blinds for $ 2, cooking utensils for $ 1 or less each, a big multi-​component storage bin for $ 10. They usually have seasonal items, but in my experience most are for outside, and having an apartment I have no need for them.
There’s no shame in buying cheap! Get the necessities and random whims here, to save money for more important things, like rent, or food, or vacations.

I have a running list of items I buy here. I have never had a problem or anything that was less than par if bought from Rite Aid or something
The list is as follows:
Scrapbooking items
If you were going to throw your child a birthday party (themed plates, napkins streamers etc., balloons)
Cute greeting cards 2 for $.50
Spatulas
Wooden spoons
qtips
aspirin
shower liners
Vaseline
Floss
books (sometimes)
car cleaning items
household cleaning items (windex dupes)
plastic cups
hangers
hair elastics
bobby pins
combs
Sometimes they will have
name brand bar soap
name brand shampoo/​conditioner
name brand makeup (Loreal Juicy Tubes were my last great find)
Fake flowers
picture frames
saran wrap
foil
silverware (I have one nice set and buy a ton for the ones that magically disappear)
seasonal decorations (I am not into that type of thing, but if I was I would pick up a few things)
gum
flasghlights
candles (power outage)
That is what I always look for when I come here… Why pay 4.00 for hand held floss, when you can get it for a buck?
So if you are pretentious, suck it up and explore… rummage, dig, whatever you want to call it. I call it saving money!

Whenever I need anything household related, this is the first place I check. Their cleaning supplies are ridiculously cheap. From 409 to carpet cleaners to air fresheners and laundry detergent, they’ve got it.
It’s also good for pharmacy-​related items like facial cleansers and deodorant, in addition to a small selection of cosmetics. Being a sufferer of allergies, I was very happy to find their knock-​off Claritin at half the price of the Target brand. Nice! (I checked to see where it is manufactured — New Jersey, so at least it won’t be covered in lead like everything from China these days).
The previous reviewer NanoMags wasn’t kidding when she called it a bizarro Brooks/​CVS. There are tons of random items so you never quite know what you’ll find. I found a nice glass ashtray to put out on the back porch for my smoking friends; at the same time I bought a new pitcher to mix up the huge containers of koolaid and also while scoring several bags of the Pounce treats my cats love, all for a buck a piece.
They have greeting cards as well, but only use them as a last resort. Some of the lamest greetings I’ve ever seen were on cards found in this store. Best to stick to the blanks.
Family Dollar ain’t pretty with their cluttered, chaotic layout, but it’ll help you save a buck. They do not take credit cards though, only cash & debit. The staff has always been very nice.

so in my exploration of my new ‘hood, i wandered into this store. it reminds me of a smaller «big lots». it’s weird like aj wright. it has a ton of random things like cleaning supplies, curtains, hot sauce, other condiments, comforters, other home decorating elements. it’s like a bizarro brooks/​cvs.
there are some deals to be found here. i bought a big container (29 oz) of the kool-​aid that comes pre-​mixed w/​sugar for a mere $ 3 (if you’re not well-​versed in the price of kool-​aid these days that is a remarkably good price). and a bag of uncle ray’s «hot» chips for $ 1. (yet another phenomenal potato chip company out of detroit michigan. uncle ray and better-​made — you make detroit proud).
it’s a little dark, it’s a little chaotic, it’s a little dusty, but for all of this unfettered randomness, how can i not bestow upon this place 3 stars?