Big Value Outlet US Map & Phone & Address
• 421 New State Hwy. (Rte. 44), Raynham; (508) 824-5117
The BVO (as it is known among locals) buys closeouts, odd-lots, and surplus goods and sells them off at absurdly low prices. It’s a great place to look for all kinds of housewares, cleaning supplies, toys, hardware, and more. Recent finds include a Regal ten-inch frying pan for $7.99, beach chairs for $8.99, Oriental rugs as low as $19.99 (fake, of course), and place mats for a buck. Truly an eclectic mix. Toys are definitely worth checking out here; a Barbie health club, normally $12.99, was seen here for $7.99. In the hardware section Mine found Olympic wood stain reduced from $16.99 to $8.99. Big Value Outlet is open Mondays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 9 P.M. and Sundays 11 A.M. to 5 P.M.
The Buck Stop
• 449 Massachusetts Ave. Arlington; no phone
In Arlington Center, this was one of the area’s first dollar stores. They still have a good supply ranging from basic household items to packaged food to toys and books.
Here Mine found packaged cookies, dishwashing liquid, hair spray and accessories, four-packs of those tiny individual cereal boxes, yam and sewing supplies, and a cassette tape that makes your answering machine sound like Porky Pig. You never know what you’ll find, but it’s always fun.
Building 19
• 154 Cambridge St. Burlington; (617)272-1919
• Hingham Plaza, 100 Derby St, Hingham; (617) 749-0019
• 810 The Lynnway, Lynn; (617) 581-1910
• 9/27 Shopping Center (Rte. 9), Natick; (508) 653-1900
• 1450 Providence Hwy. (Rte. 1), Norwood; (617) 769-3700
• Harborlight Mall, 789 Bridge St Weymouth; (617) 340-6219
• And other suburban locations
If Filene’s is the traditional bargain basement, Building 19 is the next generation. These folks snap up manufacturers’ overstocks, discontinued lines, damaged goods, and irregulars in clothing, furniture, home decor, hardware, toys, paper supplies, and anything else they can get their hands on. Seconds are clearly marked as such.
So when a ladies’ shoe manufacturer goes out of business, B-19 grabs what’s left; and first-quality shoes that would have retailed for $45 go on sale for $14.99. You may also see a factory-refurbished espresso maker reduced from $50 to $29; brass table lamps at half-price; mismatched mattress and boxspring sets (as they point out, once the bed is made, who can tell?) marked down from $500 to $289; and $200 Oriental rugs for $79.
Many of the stores also have a “Sample Department,” in which they sell designer clothing that has been used only by the salespeople who take it on the road to show to buyers. B-19 sells these at half the retail price. And the stores always have tons of regular clothing for the entire family.
There is a sort of irreverent attitude at Building 19; the idea is that anyone who wants to shop at these prices won’t mind the wacky signs, jammed aisles and cement floors. They seem to be correct in this assumption, as the chain keeps growing. All stores are open seven days a week; B-19 now accepts credit cards, another new development
