Discount Food Store Seeing More BusinessWhile it has been open for more than 15 years, Sherman and Lin's Discount Grocery and Bargain Barn is seeing a lot more business these days.
The store, along East Winona Avenue, is filled with overstocked and slightly dented and scratched items.Owner Butch Schapson said that to go against the notion the quality of the items is sub par, he has a no-questions asked return policy as well as the same selling standards as regular grocery stores but with items half the price.
Sherman and Lin's, like many stores of its kind, have seen an upswing in business since the economy hit the skids.
"But its not just people who are struggling," said manager Courtney Clark. "We have people pull up in their Cadillacs as well. They're looking to save money too."
On the other end of the spectrum, families on a tight budget have found the discount food store a blessing.
"A lady, who has six kids, said because of our store she is able to pay rent," said Schpason.
And customers always have new things to shop for when they arrive.
Sherman and Lin's buys items from warehouses that take overstock or dented items from bigger stores.
They then buy produce boxes full of items, not knowing the contents inside.
The store can also pick up items customers ask for like sugar or peanut butter though those items are a bit less of a deal when they're special ordered.
Schapson said that while people come in with food stamps they have a much broader shopper base.
"Churches love us," said Schapson. "They'll give people who are struggling gift certificates to us. They like the fact that we don't sell alcohol or cigarettes."
Schapson, who formerly owned Ace Hardware in Warsaw, said that while these stores have taken off in a bad economy he thinks they will continue to succeed.
"Now that people are more aware of saving money I think they will continue to look for deals even when the economy gets better," said Schapson.
Schapson said he has customers come from southern Indiana and Ohio come into the store when they're in town.
"I had a couple from Florida," said Clark who manages the bargain barn, "And they said while they were in town they had to stop by here."
Faith Detwiler, Syracuse, was in the store Tuesday afternoon shopping for items.
As a college student and mother of two, Detwiler said the ability to buy items for such a cut-rate cost means a lot.
"It's great to be able to buy cereal for the kids, stuff for the house and things for yourself for a low cost," said Detwiler.
