A local grocery store, offering deep discounts on dented food cans and boxes, has opened in a former Walgreens store.
McGaryβs Discount Groceries moved into the 13,900-square-foot space at the corner of Oracle and Grant roads July 1.
βThe main reason I chose this spot is I wanted to be in a location near our clientele, because a lot of them donβt have transportation,β said Melissa McGary, co-owner along with her husband, Ty. βUp in the Oro Valley and Marana area the need isnβt really there because people there prefer Trader Joeβs or Sprouts.β
The store is stocked with nonperishable food, cleaning supplies, health and beauty products, and pet food.
There is no fresh produce or meats, but frozen burgers, hot dogs and chicken are available, as well as frozen, canned or dried produce, McGary said.
The inventory comes from brokers who buy closeout brands, dinged cans and past βbest-byβ dates items from the chain stores.
βThere is a learning curve,β McGary said. βConsumers need to understand that just because itβs past the βbest-byβ date doesnβt mean itβs going to kill you.β
Even the Food and Drug Administration says consumers often misunderstand date labels on packaged foods, accounting for an estimated 20% of consumer food waste.
With the exception of infant formula, the FDA says food date labels tend to refer to when a product will be at its best flavor and quality. If an item is past its βbest if used byβ date, the FDA says to examine it for noticeable changes in color, consistency or texture.
McGaryβs originally opened as a weekend booth at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet 12 years ago and customers often asked if they could open a location in the city.
βI guess you could say it was by popular demand,β McGary said of opening a brick-and-mortar store at Fort Lowell Road and Stone Avenue eight years ago.
As inventory grew, the McGaryβs started looking for a bigger store in a more central location.
The closed Walgreens, at 2411 N. Oracle Road, was a perfect fit, said commercial broker Kevin Volk, with Volk Co., who negotiated the lease, along with colleague Brenna Lacey.
The property had been vacant for about three years.
βWe kept pitching it to different groups,β Volk said. βItβs a great building on a good corner with a lot of visibility.β
He said McGaryβs relocation and expansion comes at a time when consumers are looking for deals on food products, as well as items with a long shelf life.
βI donβt think packaged products have ever been as hot as they are now,β Volk said.
McGaryβs is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays, beginning July 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The couple will also continue to man their booth at the swap meet on weekends.
The store has five employees and accepts food stamps, cash, credit and debit.
It does not carry alcohol or tobacco products.
βThatβs not an essential, and we donβt want to deal with that,β McGary said. βWeβve had people come in and ask if we sell beer and we say βNoβ and they turn around and leave.
βWe just wave bye-bye.β
