The usual pile of retail ads and flyers came to our door this week. My husband always tries to make a direct walk from the mailbox to the recycle bin armed with the glossy adverts, but I grab them just in time to sort through and keep the ones I want to study further for coupons and the latest bargain. You never know what you might be missing, right?
This time of year, my 6 year old also takes part, stealing the toy selection to make her wish list and letter for Santa. This time we found a new one thrown in, and I kind of liked all the $5 signs that were jumping off the page, with some $2 and $3 flashes too.
It was a flyer from five Below. The new “everything” store located in The Centre at Preston Ridge, close to Stonebriar Mall. They pride themselves on stocking “Trend-Right, Extreme-Value Merchandise.” I have driven by it a number of times and keep saying I must drop in, but I also thought how much better can it be than the Dollar Tree and would require spending a few dollars more?
My daughter made light work of the advert and quickly came running to me with her various choices circled on the pages that she liked. As I flicked through it with her, I was surprised to see such large items at seriously knocked down prices, and yes, at $5 and under. Monster High games, crafting boxes, some cool clothing items. As she was due a small reward, I promised to bring her to the store that coming weekend.
Normally I would not go near a busy shopping area on a Saturday evening, but we were in the vicinity and a promise is a promise. Entering five Below you’re immersed in an organized vault of color and vibrancy, brightly lit aisles, and shelves stocked with oodles of fun stuff and practical items, too.
The usual names stood out – Disney, Lisa Frank, Play-Doh, Star Wars, Dora, My Little Pony, and Lego to name a few. My daughter was immediately drawn to the craft section, and after initial ooohs and ahhhs, went speechless for a while as her eyes perused the mountain of craft kit box set options. Not only that, but they are decent quality and just as good, if not the same, as the sets you pay close to $20 for in other stores.
five Below also features a large selection of books and some unique items like “All About Me” books for pre-teens to record their own personal log with cute illustrations inside to help. So, not only was my daughters treat more than fulfilled, I picked up some great gifts for family, particularly pre-teen cousins and a few cute items for myself.
As we slowly paced ourselves through the aisles, we found everything from car chargers & iPhone covers to basketballs, candy to bath & beauty products, socks & hats to nail polish and school supplies to beanie babies, all in different color combinations and varieties. The staff were more than helpful, and each time I turned a corner it seemed one of them was offering assistance.
Big shout out to the greeting card section… I usually buy ALL of mine in Dollar Tree, and at 2 for $1, you can’t go wrong, but with my dad’s birthday looming the following week, I decided to grab one there and then even if it was pricey. I found “just the one,” with a lovely verse and discovered at checkout, although priced at $3.39, it was only 98 cents!
Not one person seemed to pass through the checkout zone with less than 2 bags, and I don’t even think I had time to cover half the store, but I’m definitely going back this week to start the Christmas shopping and take my time perusing the shelves. Check it out for yourself… five Below is a bargain hunters dream definitely worth the trip.
Hours:
Mon – Sat 10AM – 9PM
Sun 11AM – 6PM
Location
The Centre at Preston Ridge (beside Old Navy)
3333 Preston Road, Suite 650 Frisco, TX 75034
214.618.2381
