It took me a while to get with the program.

At first, when I saw the brightly lit 99 Cent stores, I thought, wow how can they put so much junk under one roof?

Then, I made a few sojourns into the place with a friend. Crowded with shoppers, the narrow aisles turned me off.

If claustrophobia is the price I have to pay to get these discounts, it isn't worth it, I thought.

Then, on my way back from an early morning errand, I stopped in, again. Hardly any people got in my way, and the few folks who were there seemed to be restocking the shelves.

Finally, I could see what was on them.

Dog food: two cans for a buck. Okay, that's pretty good.

Triple-bladed disposable razors: four to a pack. Ninety-nine cents!

How can you beat that?

Shaving gel, which is usually $1.99: just ninety-nine cents!

I ended up with a full hand basket of goodies and I think the grand total came to seventeen bucks, and change.

Hold it; did the cashier say SEVENTY bucks? No, seventeen. It probably came to no more than half a buck a pound, for everything!

Wow.

I'm impressed. With a little persuasion, do you think the same management might decide to go into the restaurant or hotel business?