As most of you know, I have temporarily (I hope) relocated back to my hometown of Ojai, California.
Since I've been here, I have been seriously missing some of my fave spots to save in the Seattle area, like Grocery Outlet, Bartells and Albertsons (with their awesome doublers).
I have been finding lots of awesome vegan deals at the Dollar Tree and the 99-Cent Store, but I was beginning to think that I might never again have that super-saving satisfaction that comes from having your manufacturers' coupons doubled at the grocery store.
Ojai is a small town that doesn't have much in the way of grocery stores. I have found some great places to pick up cheap produce and bust out my coupon binder, but this post is about double coupons, so I will talk more about those money-saving options for local folks later.
One of the two larger grocery stores in town is Starr Market. (The other is Vons.) Word on the street was that Starr was pretty pricey and was really only good for a produce deal now and then when the best local, roadside produce stand closes for the winter.
After hearing this, I quickly crossed Starr Market off my list of options and went about seeking out other options where I could get in on some cheap vegan and organic finds.
Well, it turns out that I have been totally missing out!
There was a toilet paper deal in the Starr Market ad that came in the mail, and since I had coupons for that particular brand, I figured I would head over there just for that one deal.
I cruised the store and noticed that the prices on many products did seem a bit steep, but that they had a pretty impressive produce section for a small-town store, and their produce prices weren't bad.
Then I headed to the register with my cartload of toilet paper.
I asked if they stacked coupons, since there was a coupon in the store ad, and found out that they don't -- so make a note of that if you shop here.
However, as the cashier is scanning my coupons, I notice that I'm saving $2.00 off of the sale price on the toilet paper -- rather than just the $1.00 off stated on the manufacturer's coupons.
So I ask if this is a double coupon day and if they have those regularly.
Much to my surprise and delight, he told me they double manufacturers' coupons up to $1.00 every day!
Woot!
Stores that double coupons are rare in Southern California; stores that double coupons every day are almost like unicorns.
So, here's the bottom line: Yeah, some of Starr Market's prices are a bit higher than you can find elsewhere. However, as soon as you factor in that they double coupons up to $1.00 and have some good sales in their weekly ad, this is looking more and more like a viable option for saving money on groceries in Ojai.
They do have gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and organic groceries, so I'm going to have to pay more attention to their offerings next time I stop in -- now that I know the word on the street was wrong!
If you live in the Ojai or Ventura area and want to get down with some double coupon love, here's where you will find them:
Starr Market
131 East Ojai Avenue
Ojai, CA 93023
Phone: 805.646.3359
Side note: I was not able to find a coupon policy for Starr Market online, so I will see if I can get a copy of it next time I'm in there.
Since I've been here, I have been seriously missing some of my fave spots to save in the Seattle area, like Grocery Outlet, Bartells and Albertsons (with their awesome doublers).
I have been finding lots of awesome vegan deals at the Dollar Tree and the 99-Cent Store, but I was beginning to think that I might never again have that super-saving satisfaction that comes from having your manufacturers' coupons doubled at the grocery store.
Ojai is a small town that doesn't have much in the way of grocery stores. I have found some great places to pick up cheap produce and bust out my coupon binder, but this post is about double coupons, so I will talk more about those money-saving options for local folks later.
One of the two larger grocery stores in town is Starr Market. (The other is Vons.) Word on the street was that Starr was pretty pricey and was really only good for a produce deal now and then when the best local, roadside produce stand closes for the winter.
After hearing this, I quickly crossed Starr Market off my list of options and went about seeking out other options where I could get in on some cheap vegan and organic finds.
Well, it turns out that I have been totally missing out!
There was a toilet paper deal in the Starr Market ad that came in the mail, and since I had coupons for that particular brand, I figured I would head over there just for that one deal.
I cruised the store and noticed that the prices on many products did seem a bit steep, but that they had a pretty impressive produce section for a small-town store, and their produce prices weren't bad.
Then I headed to the register with my cartload of toilet paper.
I asked if they stacked coupons, since there was a coupon in the store ad, and found out that they don't -- so make a note of that if you shop here.
However, as the cashier is scanning my coupons, I notice that I'm saving $2.00 off of the sale price on the toilet paper -- rather than just the $1.00 off stated on the manufacturer's coupons.
So I ask if this is a double coupon day and if they have those regularly.
Much to my surprise and delight, he told me they double manufacturers' coupons up to $1.00 every day!
Woot!
Stores that double coupons are rare in Southern California; stores that double coupons every day are almost like unicorns.
So, here's the bottom line: Yeah, some of Starr Market's prices are a bit higher than you can find elsewhere. However, as soon as you factor in that they double coupons up to $1.00 and have some good sales in their weekly ad, this is looking more and more like a viable option for saving money on groceries in Ojai.
They do have gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and organic groceries, so I'm going to have to pay more attention to their offerings next time I stop in -- now that I know the word on the street was wrong!
If you live in the Ojai or Ventura area and want to get down with some double coupon love, here's where you will find them:
Starr Market
131 East Ojai Avenue
Ojai, CA 93023
Phone: 805.646.3359
Side note: I was not able to find a coupon policy for Starr Market online, so I will see if I can get a copy of it next time I'm in there.
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