Shopping News

Japanese dollar store Daiso opens in Watauga with fanfare and giveaways

So many things to buy at Daiso.

Daiso Japan USA Facebook

A fun shopping experience is headed to Watauga: Daiso, the global retail chain offering many items at throwaway low prices, is opening a store in Watauga, at 8028 Denton Highway #326.

The 5,500-square foot store is at Watauga Towne Crossing, and promises to be a haven for shoppers seeking merchandise at affordable prices.

According to a release, the store will open September 30 with a grand opening that will last all weekend long.

On Saturday, September 30 and Sunday, October 1, the first 100 customers to make a minimum purchase of $30 will receive a free goodie bag and a plushie.

Daiso was founded in Japan in 1977 and carries thousands of products: kitchenware, beauty supplies, stationery, wrapping paper, electronic accessories, greeting cards, party favors, and plushie toys, plus exotic-ish snacks such as wasabi peanuts.

Probably 90 percent of what they sell is disposable plastic trinkets, and there's lots of pink. Most items are under $10.

Our 2017 shopper guide suggested the following:

"They have clamps and clips in different sizes, if you need them for opened bags of chips or if you want to string something up from the ceiling. My kids like mechanical pencils, and they have them in varying softness of leads. If you went to Staples, you might pay $5. So I stock up on office supplies, papers, ceramic cups, plastic containers, and sticky notes.

They have good candy, including soft jellies in unusual flavors like tomato and regular flavors like mango or strawberry. They sell my favorite candy of all time, a candy version of this Japanese soda called Ramune. The candy is soft and chalky, and melts in your mouth."

They first debuted in DFW in 2015 with a store in Carrollton, and have since opened locations in Irving, Plano, Frisco, Euless, Grapevine, Fort Worth, Arlington, and Dallas at Mockingbird Commons.

Other stores coming to the DFW area include:

Richardson, at 1310 W. Campbell Rd.
Dallas, at the Shops at Park Lane
Garland - Shiloh Springs Shopping Center at 6850 N. Shiloh Rd.

Daiso Chief Development Officer John Clarke says, "Texas based Daiso customers have shown us through our online business and social media their desire for us to have more stores within the state, influencing our immediate growth strategy in this region. We currently operate 104 units in 7 states with more states opening in 2024."

shopping openings

Closure News

American Freight furniture chain to shut down 2 Fort Worth-area stores

American Freight

There's a big sale going on at American Freight.

There's a huge sale on furniture going down right now, but for a sad reason: American Freight, a chain of furniture stores operating in dozens of states, is permanently shuttering all 328 locations, due to “sustained inflation and macroeconomic challenges,” according to its parent company.

That includes two Fort Worth-area stores, part of seven stores overall in the Dallas-Fort Worth.

The closing comes after its parent company, Franchise Group, Inc., filed for bankruptcy protection, according to documents filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware.

Store closing sales began on November 5, both online and at its 328 locations. Hilco Consumer-Retail is managing these sales for American Freight as the business winds down its operations nationwide. Significant discounts are being offered on the brand's full assortment of inventory.

Shoppers can save up to 30 percent off the lowest ticketed prices storewide. Available items include living room sets, bedroom furniture, dining tables, and a selection of scratch & dent and new in-box appliances, such as refrigerators, washers and dryers.

New inventory is arriving and expected to move quickly, so customers should take advantage of this prime opportunity to enjoy exceptional deals before it's too late.

"Our goal is to deliver outstanding value to customers during this full chain closing sale," said Ian Fredericks, CEO of Hilco Consumer-Retail. "Everything is on sale and must be sold, and we recommend shopping early for the best selection."

During the store closing sales, select American Freight financing and delivery services will remain available to customers, presenting a unique opportunity to shop exceptional discounts with the convenience of flexible payment and home delivery.

The chain has 39 stores in Texas, including 7 in DFW and two in Tarrant County, all closing as follows:

401 Southwest Plaza, Ste 105, Arlington
1265 Town Square Dr, Fort Worth
1825 Westpark Dr Grand Prairie
2964 W Wheatland Rd, Dallas
109 N Greenville Ave, Allen
1215 Marsh Ln, Carrollton
1418 N Town East Blvd, Mesquite

Sale Details
They're offering up to 30 percent off the lowest ticketed prices on furniture, scratch & dent, and new in-box appliances. Discounts are valid in stores and online. All sales are final, of course. Shop now for the best selection while supplies last.

closings