TJ Maxx

Location: North Grand Mall, 2701 Grand Avenue

Phone: (515) 233-3207

Hours: 9a – 10p daily

Cheap, awesome clothes, household items, furniture, children’s clothes and toys, shoes, bags, dog products, and so much more. TJ Maxx is a great store in a great location (attached to North Grand Mall) where you can shop for yourself and others of all ages.

Dollar Tree

Location: 207 South Duff

Phone: (515) 232-5764

Hours: 9a – 10p Monday – Saturday

9a – 9p Sunday

Dollar Tree is in a sort-of-crowded area on Duff, but it’s worth the trip because everything is, well, a dollar. Though some of the stuff isn’t the best quality, it’s super cheap and who doesn’t appreciate that? The store has food, household items, utensils, cleaning supplies, event decorations, health and beauty items, present wrapping materials, etc., etc. etc. Think of it as a mini, cheaper Walmart.

Overflow Thrift Store

Location: 202 South Duff

Phone: (515) 290-0732

Hours: (open for shopping) 10a – 8p Thursday

10a – 6p Friday

10a – 4p Saturday

(open for donations) 10a – 4p Monday, Tuesday, Saturday

This type of consignment shop is great for you and for others. The Overflow Thrift Store features used clothes, books, furniture, shoes, home decorations, and so much more. All money is donated to ministries in the U.S. and overseas, and there’s no sales tax because the shop is a non-profit. It’s cheap shopping (and donating) for a cause!

Cyclone Cinema

Location: Carver 101 (on campus)

Hours: showings at 7p and 10p, Thursday – Sunday

This isn’t a store, but it’s a movie showing put on by the Student Union Board on campus. There’s a fall and spring movie lineup that’s available on the S.U.B. website, and trust that the movies are great. The movies that are played generally aren’t even out on DVD yet, so its a good time to go to Cyclone Cinema and “go to the movies” WITHOUT PAYING. That’s right, totally free and definitely worth it.

The Loft

Location: 233 Main Street

Phone: (515) 232-9053

Hours: 10a – 7p Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday

10a – 8p Thursday

10a – 5p Saturday and Sunday

The Loft is a great place to get used clothes in downtown Ames. Like most consignment places, you can also donate your used clothes to the shop. They’ve got prominent brands and clothes in good condition.

Aldi

Location: 1301 Buckeye Avenue

Phone: (855) 955-2534

Hours: 9a – 8p Monday – Saturday

9a – 7p Sunday

Aldi is a discount grocery store chain that rocks. In Ames, it’s located by South Duff next to the movie theatre, by K-Mart, Applebee’s and Red Lobster. For the most part, Aldi doesn’t have name brand things, but the products (wine, meat, produce, canned stuff, household items, etc.) are decent quality. Just make sure you check expirations dates–you know, just in case.