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Target Super Market in Tyler Texas

February 5th, 2010

TARGET

7003 S. Broadway Ave
Tyler TX, 75703
Phone #: 903 939 1900
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 8am-10pm
Sun 8am – 9pm

Target stores are nationwide department stores which sell clothing, shoes, jewelry, health and beauty products, electronics, CD and DVDs, bedding, kitchen items, sporting goods, toys, pet food, automotive supplies and hardware. They also carry seasonal merchandise such as patio furniture during the summer and a large selection of decorations for every budget at Christmas. Tyler Target also has a pharmacy and a photo center.

As you enter Target the first thing that hits you is the delicious smell of popcorn. There is a small café on the right of the store as you enter. On the left is a budget area where you can buy seasonal items like toys and party favors for a dollar. Once you pass this you are entering the clothing department. The fashions are low priced and subsequently, low quality, but are still very popular. The lingerie and sports wear include brand names and are reasonably priced. Target also stocks quite a selection of bags and accessories plus some jewelry.

The housewares and home décor sold by Target are much more attractive than those sold at Walmart. Their team of designers are brilliant at making the ordinary look cool and contemporary. There is an extensive toy and game department and well-stocked baby section. Target is a favorite for baby and wedding gift registries.  You can print registry lists on dedicated red computers just inside the door.

The food sold at Target is limited but they do have their own brand of foodstuffs called Archers Farm which are great quality and in general, of high nutritional value. They have regular discounts on these items and details of these and other offers can be found in their weekly circular newspaper. In addition Target have their own brand of toiletries and household consumables – now called ‘Up and up’ (look for the white labels with arrows) – they claim to compare to the best selling brands and are usually at least 10% cheaper. Look for orange colored price labels throughout the store for clearance prices.

Finally, Target has a selection of cards and party goods for all occasions at a range of prices, and a photo center near the exit. If you use an internet service like Shutterfly you can order prints online and pick them up at Target.

One negative thing about Target is their return policy. They are only required to take things back with a receipt – even if the item is labelled as a Target exclusive. The moral of the story is that you should always keep your receipts and ask for a gift receipt if you are buying presents for someone else.

Target.com is a good place to look for bargains and they have things that are not always available in store. However, you need to watch for shipping costs – there is no ‘site to store’ free shipping which is such a bonus at Walmart.com.

Target sells such a wide variety of goods that they are the biggest seller of giftcards in the USA. We bought some for our nephews and nieces at Christmas and were impressed to find cards that light up and sing for the recipients! They are always well received…

Big Lots by the Mall in Tyler, TX

January 27th, 2010

4400 South Broadway Avenue
Tyler, TX 75703-1303
(903) 581-7477‎

I love Big Lots. I am a huge fan of the concept of selling overstocked and discontinued items at an awesome price. They keep a regular supply of most items you would find in a small convenience store such as trash bags and socks, but a large part of their inventory is constantly changing. They always have soaps and shampoos, but maybe one day you’ll find a really nice brand for cheap and not the next week. 

Big Lots in Tyler Texas

Big Lots near Robert E. Lee High School

 Regardless of the inventory changes, one thing stays constant. The prices at Big Lots are always cheaper than comparable stores. It also maintains the fun feel of treasure hunting almost like shopping at thrift stores.

This Big Lots is located on South Broadway across the street from the Mall and right next door to Robert E. Lee High School. It shares a parking lot with Michael’s, the arts and crafts store, and T.G.I.Friday’s, along with a dozen other smaller single location stores. This location is a great convenience for when you want to go to several stores on the same trip into town. I go to this one when I am looking for gifts, because if I can’t find something good at Big Lots I can head over to Michael’s or the half-price used book store in the same lot. The problem with this store’s location is the traffic. I can only assume that the intersection of South Broadway and Loop 323 is the busiest intersection in Tyler. This happens to be where Big Lots is located. Almost any time of the day, it is hard to navigate through this area. If you are traveling via the loop, you have to be prepared to choose the turning lane a few stoplights before you get to the intersection. Once in the parking lot, you still can’t relax until you have stopped, because this lot seems to be a collecting spot for all of the impatient people in Tyler.

A fun addition to your trips to Big Lots in the Spring and Summer is that right outside of Big Lots going towards Loop 323 there are usually a couple of guys selling produce. They’ll often be selling watermelons and oranges and then whatever else happens to be in season. 

Robert E. Lee Highschool Tyler TX

Robert E. Lee Highschool

 Even if you aren’t in the mood for fruit, these guys will usually give you a huge East Texas smile and greeting just for acknowledging them.

While, the other Big Lots store in Tyler has a full furniture show room, this store location does not. This branch sells furniture to be assembled at home. They have book shelves, entertainment centers, glider rocking chairs, small dressers and other things along this line. Most of these are very attractive and afford-ably but are made of the non-durable press board. Though, for something like a small bookshelf, this store offers almost exactly what you need and will beat the price of most other stores with similar products.

I’ve also been impressed with their small electronics section near the front. They have standard computer accessories like mice and USB cables. This section has regular and rechargeable batteries. My favorite item that I’ve found here, though, is a set of burnable CDs. 

Big Lots in Tyler

Big Lots in Tyler

 A couple of times that I’ve gone, they’ve had incredible deals on blank CDs. The problem is you have to be willing to check and understand that with this kind of store there is not much guarantee that they will have the item you wanted.

One last feature about this location I should fill you in on is their bedding section. If you are in the market for new sheets for your bed, then check out Big Lots first. The section can be a little messy because most of the sheet sets are the only one like them in the store. It should be divided into bed size, but look around in the whole section. You can sometimes find really high thread count sheets sets for less than half the cost of other retail stores. The bottom line is that you should give Big Lots a few shots. Visit the store a few different times and at least see if it is a good fit for your personality and shopping needs. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Marshalls

January 25th, 2010

Marshalls

Broadway Crossing
5604 S.Broadway
Tyler 75703
903 509 4130
Opening times: M-S 9.30am – 9.30pm
Sunday 11am- 8pm

Marshalls is a store where you can find designer outfits, gorgeous shoes and exciting finds for the home, all at low cost.

Marshalls is a little more upmarket than Ross Dress for Less but they are run on the same principle. They buy in overstocks, end of ranges etc. from famous brands or designer labels for low prices and they pass the savings on to the customer.

A tip for getting the most out of Marshalls is to shop there regularly. You may visit Marshalls on one occasion and find nothing and go again and find something for every member of the family. And if you see something you like – jump on it quickly, you can be sure that it won’t be there next time you visit.

The things I buy most at Marshalls are shoes and sportswear for a very particular teenage boy. Firstly – shoes. They have a wonderful selection of adult and kids shoes and some are on clearance (look on the back wall). Beware with sizing though – some are European makes and the sizing is different.

You can nearly always find trendy labels for teenagers at lower cost at Marshalls – probably on average 40% lower than usual price. Not all sizes may be available in each style, you just have to hope you’re lucky.

Marshalls also has nice sleepwear and lingerie and accessories like purses, belts, hats and scarfs. I like buying baby clothes for baby gifts from Marshalls – you can look really extravagant by buying ‘expensive’ labels when in reality you have paid no more than if you made your purchase at Kohls. There are toys and books too, with extra discounts on items out of season or things with damaged boxes. The home décor section is worth a look. They have bedding, lighting and artwork plus a great selection of photo frames.

Finally, I notice that a lot of people chose to buy their perfume and cosmetics at Marshalls. You can also find unusual food gifts including some items from Europe.

I hope you enjoy your trip to Marshalls and that you have some lucky finds!

Ross Dress For Less

January 21st, 2010

Ross Dress For Less

4943 S Broadway Ave
Tyler TX
903 534 0027

Open M-S 9.30am-9.30pm
Sun 11-8pm

Ross is a great store for bargain hunters. Here you can find designer and brand name clothes for every member of your family at half the usual department store or boutique prices.

Come prepared to hunt though – in Tyler the word has got round that Ross has good deals and the clothes have often been rooted through by many a shopper and may not be in the right size aisle. The mess gets worse towards the end of the shopping day!

Ross has really nice baby items at low prices, perfect for baby gifts as well as for your own munchkin, and the shoe section is well worth looking through – especially for children’s sneakers. There is also a selection of lingerie and the maternity clothes are some of the best value and style I have seen.

They have great bags, purses and other accessories too, all at much reduced prices.

Fashions aren’t the only bargain. Ross has a wonderful home section. I love to browse in the kitchen area looking at the dinnerware, pots and pans and cookware. They carry such nice stuff! There are also good deals on seasonal items, baskets of various shapes and sizes, small items of furniture and pictures. If you are looking for a nice photo frame, Ross has a good selection. The price stickers come easily off the glass with nailpolish remover. Actually, there are quite a few nice gifty items for the home.

I have never personally braved the bedding, towel or drapery section but am sure there are bargains to be had there too. Oh and there are towels, lots of towels.

Ross is worth checking out if you need to buy a ‘man gift’ – there are lots of ideas and there are some good children’s toys and books too, though I have found that the boxes are often damaged which may give the wrong impression if you are buying a present for someone else’s kid.

The store itself is not very tidy or organized and you may wait in line at the check-out longer than you would like – especially at Christmas – but I guess this is one of the ways that Ross manages to make savings and offer items at lower than average prices. You may not take the carts out of the shop either so don’t park too far away if you’re planning on buying big items. One thing that does annoy me is that they don’t have automatic doors – I always have a stroller as well as my shopping bags and it always seems hard to get out of the shop! I guess that makes it rather inaccessible for the handicapped too.

All that to say, Ross is a great shop. They have new shipments at least every other day so if you like bargain hunting you’ll need to check back regularly frequently. Relax, there’s a Starbucks across the parking lot!
Oh, one final tip -look for the red tags – they are clearance prices.

Bed Bath and Beyond

January 21st, 2010

Bed, Bath and Beyond.
4820 S. Broadway Ave
Tyler
903 939 1999

Opening times: Mon-Sat 9am-9pm
Sunday 11am-7pm

Shopping at Bed Bath and Beyond in Tyler Texas is an experience I enjoy. I don’t visit regularly – the prices are more upscale than my budget, but I do browse there for gifts or look there for a particular item that I want for the kitchen. It seems that there are many gift-hunters like me who go there – Bed Bath and Beyond is a classic place for bridal registries.

So what do they sell? The name kind of gives it away – it is a home store – with kitchen stuff, bedding, window treatments, rugs, lighting, storage items, things for the bathroom and surprisingly, luggage! They also have a ‘wellness section’ with some health and beauty items and a few miscellaneous toys and gadgets. They have a good seasonal section too – I always go at Christmas and find interesting things to buy that I wouldn’t see at other stores.

It always smells nice in Bed Bath and Beyond (my husband will smile at that comment – but it’s true!) and it is well lit. If you are unfamiliar with the lay out it is not always easy to find what you want but the staff are very helpful. Customer service is also a priority and exchanges from the store or from purchases made online are an easy transaction.

The range of kitchen and diningware is excellent and the quality of the brands they carry is high. Perhaps they should re-name it Kitchen, Bed, Bath and Beyond instead!

The prices are on the high end for most things but you may find a bargain on the clearance section. You can also sign up for mailings and email offers. If it is a bargain you are after in particular, Ross or Marshalls might be an alternative place to look. However, if you are someone who enjoys ‘Pampered Chef’ or ‘Southern Living’ parties then this would be your store of choice.

One final comment. If you really don’t know what to buy the person who has everything … I would think a BB and B gift card would always be most well received.