Dai Ichi

This business has SHUT DOWN.
Bye bye, I hope something better replaces you.

I always wondered how in the hell this dump stayed open, and now I know: its owners never paid their rent and currently owe Westlake Center over $ 35,000. They ain’t open no more.

POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE!
I live near by and use to come often, but this summer while I was shopping in this shop, the receptionist (girl with long hair) accused me of stealing her money after she lost the $ 10 bill I gave her. She kept yelling at me and won’t let me talk at all, finally the mall security guards came and they had no evidence that I took anything and the boss came out to apologize, but then this girl still kept yelling at me!
I seen her many times in the pass because I go there often, she always had really bad attitude but this time it was unacceptable!
Anyways, DON’T SHOP HERE! there is a place called Daiso located in Serramonte Mall and it’s 10 times bigger with many more things! And most importantly, they have really good customer service!

We stumbled upon Dai Ichi after shopping at Home Depot. The store is pretty small with a decent Sanrio selection, especially for Alyson. Its a typical Diaso, Ichi ban Kan type store. You’ll find $ 1 items and other Japanese snack staples. We purchased some Japanese curry packages and a few kitchen storage items.
The shop was very clean and the store manager invited us back as they will be stocking up the shelves and expect more cool stuff. Wait for the update and photos… :)

So while I was going to Lobella to get a card for my lady, I noticed Dai Ichi.
It could be better, tell you the truth. And it wouldnt hurt to smile either. The lady sitting there always look like shes having a bad day or something.
They offer a smaller selection of things you can purchase at Daiso or Ichiban Kan, and they have this little section packed with hello kitty stuff.
I’m not a big fan but I guess if I need a temporary knife or a lunch box I know where to go

It’s alright. Reasonable price, organized store, nice workers. Although, they need to put more merchandise.

I had no idea this place was owned by Ichiban Kan (thanks for the info Lolia!). All I could think is that this place is like a mini daiso or Ichiban Kan. Well, even though Ichiban Kan and Daiso are much better, Dai Ichi has a decent selection. And surprisingly, Dai Ichi carries my face wash, so now I don’t have to go all the way to Nijiya just to get it.

It’s like a mini Daiso but I think I’ll rather go to Daiso instead.
Most of their items are $ 1.25. They have kitchen ware, hair accessories, snacks, some Sanrio items in the front of the store, shampoo&conditioner, hair dyes, office supplies/​school supplies, and they even have CONDOMS!
Sorry guys condoms and hair products aren’t $ 1.25.
Located in the Westlake Mall near Yogurt Circle.

it’s not daiso, it’s not ichiban kan.

From the outside when we drove by this shop to find parking, I was quite excited at seeing another cutesy Japanese bargain store… but when I went in, I was quite disappointed. I saw a lot of products that were sold by Ichiban Kan, and from information from the previous reviewer, they are owned by the same company. I guess it was because I had just come from Daiso about 5 miles away, but this store was just really understocked. I bet it’s a pretty new store, that’s why, and I hope they manage to pull enough revenue to stay in business.

The merchandise of Dai Ichi (Japanese 100 Yen type store) seemed so familiar (I spotted things that I had purchased at Ichiban Kan) that I asked the manager (partner?) about it. Though the store name is different, Dai Ichi is owned by Ichiban Kan. Yay! I love Ichiban Kan. The merchandise is the pretty much the same (beauty products, organizational items, kitchen goods, Pocky, bowls, slippers) but there’s less of it at Dai Ichi. One of their shipments is still in customs and they plan to add more merchandise to the center to store.
Unlike Ichiban Kan, Dai Ichi carries full price Sanrio products — including Kuromi items. They also seem to have more gift bags. The kitchen sponge selection is just okay and they don’t have the milk bread, stickers, notebooks, and pens that I like at other Ichiban Kan locations… but maybe those are on the way.
Prices start $ 1.00 and many items are $ 1.50 or $ 1.75. I like the bird print eco bags that they carry ($ 1.75) and the pop up hampers (the SF location has a cuter selection of these).
I’m definitely happy to have an Ichiban Kan (a.k.a., Dai Ichi) closer to home and close to TJ’s, Sheng Kee and Lobella. I’m sure I’ll add on an extra star once they add more merchandise. They opened less than a week ago.