99 Cents Only Store

OMG is it ghetto!!! Walking up to the entrance on Alvarado there’s a stench of wet pissed-​on dog! woof! Anyway, I came here to browse on my lunch… it’s the same as all 99 cent stores, just smaller and has really sketchy customers who look like they’ll either shank you or give you AIDS… or both. They had some cool bargain items like a big container of ricotta cheese which you’ll never find anywhere for $ 1 and some good cookies. Also, dirt cheap holiday decorations. Maybe if I was desperate I’d come back to this location.

I’m leaving a review to remind myself to never come back here again. The area is pretty filthy, and there is no parking lot. I did not feel comfortable parking on the street and going to this store.

OMG this place is so ghetto! I can’t believe I was even trying to be brave to street park around this area AND walk through a dirty crowd of homeless with a high possibility of getting jacked in broad daylight. I think I have indigestion now. Barf.

DANGEROUS OVERCROWDING AND LACK OF EMERGENCY EXITS.
Ugh. This is a soulless place. I used to be able to shrug off its negative aspects as quirky and full of character because the selection and prices were amazing. Over the past couple of years, the entire chain has raised its prices on many items and now has much less of a selection of very cheap goods. It still has organic veggies half the time and good prices on shipping supplies. This MacArthur Park location is incredibly convenient for me. It’s right on top of the subway station, a two minute train ride from my neighbourhood. If I am on my way home from somewhere else on the Red Line, I can stop here, buy a few things, then get right back on the train. Not for people in cars! There is no parking at this store.
I used to shop here twice a week. Now it’s once every two weeks. There is no point bothering to go more often when huge swathes of merchandise are out of stock for weeks on end. Empty shelf after empty shelf. This was my ‘go-​to’ source for huge boxes of soft, lint-​free tissues, for much less money than a tiny box of dusty brand-​name Kleenex. Nowadays I’m lucky to find a single mangled box. A few years ago, I could buy brand new, factory close-​out and discontinued clothing by brands such as Hot Topic, Dreamworks, Target, etc. for $ 1 each. I would sell them on eBay for a nice profit. Now the store almost NEVER buys lots like that. The few baby clothes that they now sell cost around $ 3. I also used to re-​sell toys. Now that the prices have doubled or quadrupled, I can no longer make the small profit that 50 cent and $ 1 toys would yield.
The «thin veneer of civilisation» at the MacArthur Park store has eroded to a few scummy splotches. As I was looking in vain for small foam headphones, (this location almost never has them, the Wilshire/​Fairfax location usually has) a man stuffed a pile of cell phone covers into the messenger bag under his arm. Thanks for burdening me with that, man. You could have waited three seconds until I walked away.
A woman was arguing with an employee who had picked up a half-​empty water bottle from the floor, asking if she could have it. The employee gave her the bottle. The woman shouted, «Sometimes I feel like I’m in a movie!» As I got closer, she scowled at me and said, «Oh, here comes trouble.» She held the bottle in front of her pants and squirted the water onto her crotch, soaking it. Yup. Another memory to become part of my brain forever.
What bothers me worst of all is the severe overcrowding at the front of the store and the lack of any alternate and emergency exits. It is dangerous and claustrophobic. There are six checkout lanes. Often, only two of them are open, forcing irritated customers to queue up in lines of over twenty people each. It is difficult for anyone to move from aisle to aisle or access any merchandise near the front.
If someone were to start a fight, spray mace or pull out a knife, the crowd would trample each other in panic, trying to get to the single small exit at the front. The owners and managers desperately need to study the E2 Nightclub disaster of Feb.17^th, 2003 in Chicago. Pepper spray forced patrons to flee into a stairway, where they were crushed. Twenty one people died. A few nights later on Feb 20^th, pyrotechnics lit soundproofing foam on fire at The Station Nightclub in Rhode Island. The tiny venue was severely overpacked, many didn’t know where the alternate exits were, and several were even turned away from the «band only» exit nearest the stage. 100 people died.

This is a fun and adventurous store to enter. First off getting into the door you have to fight your way through a crowd on the sidewalk, not only the crowd but people with their buggies selling everything from clothing to food. It is an illegal street vending nightmare. Once inside it is so crowded, the shoppers are inconsiderate and will run you over or not let you by as they hog the isles. So you just have to do the same and run them over. It is a shady area and store, not sure who you will come in contact with.
But hey it’s a 99 cent store, everything is 99 cents or cheaper so you can not beat that and with that in mind it’s worth putting up with the crazy crowds that flock here. The lines are super long always, and while it takes an extra 20 minutes to fight the crowds in the store, it will take an extra 20 minutes to get through the lines here. Some of the workers are great and mostly are very helpful and friendly, I haven’t had a problem with any of the employees. The store is fairly clean, they keep the floors clean and everything stocked up which means a lot considering the hustle of people that march through the door. I’d recommend going to another 99 cent store if you can, this one is so crowded. And from the looks of it no parking.

This place is a beginning cook’s dream. Lots of gourmet ingredients and brand-​name products. Keep in mind, this store is also located in the heart of MacArthur Park, a major hub of the homeless. Be prepared to constantly dodge people dragging large suitcases, carts and big backpacks. That said, the plastic Tupperware features no-​BPA products to pack your lunch. You can easily spend a dollar each to replenish your kitchen pantry with rice vinegar and generic Siracha sauce. What I ogled most were the bags of potatos and light coconut milk. This is truly Costco for the poor.
If you’re a yuppie who can’t stand the ghetto, go to the one on Wilshire/​Fairfax.

This place is insanely busy. Checkout lines go into the aisles at all times of the day. The clientele can be a little rough so watch your belongings and check all items before purchasing as most are opened/​sampled. They have a random offering of different fruits and vegetables for pretty cheap (ie, a large cauliflower/​bunch of asparagus for $ 0.99 each).

I have never in my life been so frighten to enter or be near a 99 cent store. there was so much shady activity going on outside the door before we entered (Insert Cops here) that once we entered I actually was that person who turned her Wedding bands around. That’s how frightened I was of of actually thinking I could be robbed within the store. I am not some too good for this store princess, ever since I moved out on my own 99 cent store has always been one of the many stops on my shopping day it just happened too be the the customers who frequent this store. It was just too much for me… When an obvious junky is staring me down and I have to feel relieved that the police are right outside this definitely goes in my NEVER IN MY LIFE TO RETURN file.

This being one of the closest stores near my house, I am at this 99 almost everyday. Now don’t be frightened or intimidated by the drunk people laid out near the front or side of the store. This is the best 99 in Los Angeles. Yes, its not in the safest or cleanest part of town but the selection of products here is good and the people who work here work real hard to keep the place clean and well stocked.
Keep in mind this place is jam packed all day and you do get some weirdos in here (mexican men checking you out or some ridiculously smelling homeless people). Also I can’t count how many times I’ve seen people steal from this place from men taking batteries, old women stealing sandwich baggies, girls shoving deodorants in their back pocket to the people who try walking out with goods in their hand unpaid for (girl with the hot cheetos and mountain dew, thought no one was lookin eh).
Besides being in a busy rougher neighborhood there’s nothing I can say bad about this place. For the most part the people here are friendly except for the one woman who got butt hurt when I didn’t talk to her in Spanish. From the guy mopping the floors all day to the people restocking constantly, the employees do a great job of keeping this place up.
You can get some really good deals here. Many of their products often are reduced after a while as well. I once got 3 8oz kraft cream cheeses for 99 cents here. Other awesome once in a while deals include: half gallons of horizon organic milk, 4 lunchables for 99cents, always perfectly ripe campari tomatoes, branch of brussel sprouts, lean cuisine meals, many named brand limited edition cereals like Flintstones pebbles and fruit loops, oscar mayer BACON.

Smells like pee. Remember to close your purse and don’t wear your good shoes. Also bring your own shopping bag. And remember trust no one. This has got to be the sketchiest 99 cent only store that I have ever encountered.

Yey! Lets put the closest 99 cent only store to me, right across the street from the most dangerous park in California! Go Marketing Team (clap clap)!
This is quite possibly the worst 99 cent only store in the history of forever. And of course, it happens to be the only one within 15 miles of my apartment. Oh, to be me.
Seriously folks, avoid this spot at all costs. The aisles are sloppy, everything is expired, and there is always at least one hooker buying condoms. I kid you not! This is the spot where all of the Down and Out of Los Angeles come to hang out and bother patrons. Expect to give out all of your loose changed and about half a pack of cigarettes while waiting in line to pay.
On the upside, there are always pretty interesting finds in a 99 cent only store. Like who would have thunk there would ever be chocolate flavored toothpaste? Or how about a whole aisle dedicated to dishes made entirely of birth defecting lead? Amazing stuff here kids.
Seriously though, get in your car and pay the $ 600 in gas to drive to other 99 Cents Only Store on the other side of town!

Great store in an excellent location. Its on the corner of Alvarado and Wilshire in an area called MacArthur Park. If this frightens you i suggest you not let it.
They have an over abundance of cool stuff you can get in any 99 cent only store without all of the stares when your walking throughout the aisles. They do have security but most of the time they are upfront and don’t bother the customers.
In this store you have a good selection of food as well as personal hygiene products for all of your needs. You wont need to go to other stores unless you are burnt out by all of the cheapness.
A few select items to always be able to find would be: soap, deoderant, crackers, cheap ramen soup, water, icecream, toilettries, ketchup, soy sauce, baby wipes and cheap tuberware. All of this for only a dollar!
This is pretty much the norm in this store. I use to live near by and frequent this location about three times per week.
They have different items coming in a few times a week so its best to check periodically here for a few weeks before you find yourself having to go to the bigger brand name stores to buy what it is you need.
Notice i was careful not to mention the «W» store. I don’t feel like being labeled an ass by Steven K!

This store is exactly next door to the Westlake Metro Red Line station. It is so great to walk up out of the train station and you’re just right there, no problem. If you bring your bike, you can lock it up in the station plaza. Make sure that lock is kryptonite, though. The first time I brought my Schwinn Jaguar, a druggie guy walking across the plaza exclaimed about what a great bike it is and then said «I hope nobody steals it,» and I almost said, «Someone like you, maybe?» But it was still there when I came out later on. There are always taxis parked right in front of the plaza, too, in case you drop so much money that you could never get everything home on a bike. If you drive, good luck finding any parking in the immediate area, the store doesn’t have its own parking lot and street spaces are almost always filled. You will probably drive around for a long time looking for a space, so seriously consider leaving the car at home and taking the train. Anyway, this store is usually packed with a lot of people, and it’s better to go in the early morning if you can. Street vendors line the sidewalks with interesting items for sale; check out the lady who sells semi-​precious stone jewelry and rosaries, some really nice stuff that’s not expensive at all. I usually find the things I love at this particular store, like the unbelievably delicious British jelly babies, yummy gorditas that I love to eat with melted cheese, sidral mundet apple soda, and a whole aisle of exotic water, coffee and energy drinks and juices. Last time I went, I came across Nestle filled cookie dough… caramel, yuuuuummmmm!!! One peculiar thing of note about this store: it is not situated on level ground, your cart will definitely roll if you let go of it, and I do mean seriously roll, so hang onto it or park it securely so it can’t roll!

This place looked so neat from the outside (and inside), that I didn’t even know I was at a 99 cents store until a couple minutes after being inside! They have tons of stuff here, but not so much produce. Some things I’ve never even found elsewhere (whether its 99 cents or regular stores). The people are nice here (whether its employees or customers), and I love this the whole busy area its in.

I tell ya, I always make sure to go to a 99 cents store before heading down to a CVS. Way cheaper and also fun.
This location is a bit dirty, but the products in there do not disappoint. I can get band-​aids, tampons, fly trap, hydrogen peroxide, and a travel size sewing kit for under 6 bucks. Talk about steal! And the best part is that sometimes they have brand name things.
Come here to buy gallons of water, fyi. Pay 99 cents instead of 1.25 at any other place!
PS.
Right by a metro station and the 720 line. SCORE!