Marukai Everything For 98 Cents

It has been replaced with Daiso. A Japanese $ 1.50 store. It is great.
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I went here many times when it first opened as a 98 cent store. As time went buy the merchandise quality went down and the prices went up. After a while it was a bad store. Most of the items was not 98 cents and the place started to look trashy with normal .99 cent store stuff. I am not surprised that it closed.

I remember when there was a Marukai 98¢ store in Cypress. The prices were great until they started to raise their prices above 98¢. Gone were the days of 98¢. That store closed a long time ago.
And here I am today, in this 98¢ Marukai Store. The same feeling just came over me. I’m sad they’re closing this store.
There’s so much stuff that I want to buy even though I don’t need it. I like their little knick knacks that you can use as little desk decorations or just as simple gifts.
Parking sucks at this location, but I’m sure that will change after they close. Another one bites the dust.

I have been shopping here for two years and LOVE it! I always loved their bento supply selection.
I went for a visit yesterday (Mother’s Day) and had a bittersweet shock when I arrived. EVERYTHING was 30% off because this store will. CLOSE IN one month!!!
They still have lots of items to choose from!

I was on a mission for new shoelaces for my beloved adidas. Who knew that it would become such an ordeal that it would become The Mission. Tried Target, Payless, various little shoe repair joints, etc. etc. I thought it was gonna be easy because I remembered seeing a magical spinning rack full of beautifully colored and pattered shoelaces. After racking my brain, I finally remembered it was this Marukai. Snatched up a pair of wide bright red shoelaces and patted myself on the back that I didn’t go wild and buy the entire rainbow of colors they had available.
This is also my go-​to spot for organizational items: plastic bins galore. And since all my wine glasses disappeared, I decided to downgrade and buy some here. At these prices, if i break a glass i won’t feel guilty b/​c of the monetary costs, just guilty at all the glass i’m wasting.
Parking is HORRENDOUS on weekends in the daytime. The entire lot is filled with people grocerying at 99 Ranch so even if you spot someone leaving it takes forever for them to load their car, strap in their ½ clones, take the cart back to the front of the store, and then finally leave. Gwarrrr.

This is a fun store!!!
There are a lot of cute, useful knick knacks here! I wasn’t around when the prices were actually less than a dollar, but the prices here are still pretty decent!
My last purchases included some facial blotting tissue (and there are tons to choose from), a scrubby shower cloth (the ones here are the better scrubby cloth, IMO), a small folding chair for hubby’s grow room, and some Pocky sticks for the kiddos.
I’d love to purchase some plates and bowls and such, but there are so many nice designs to choose from that I just can’t decide.
I was hoping to find some kid-​sized chop sticks here (found mainly regular adult-​sized ones) since I like those to keep my hair up at times.
This is a huge store with lots to look at. I have a tendency to spend a little bit more time here, since I need time to look over labels and try to decipher pictures when trying to buy items here.

I came here expecting great deals and to be honest that is not really what I got:(For example I did find my Shiseido face cleansing product but it is just as expensive as it is in the Downtown Marukai :(The Shiseido shampoo and conditioner is not cheaper here either.
However, I am really not into deals and sales. I am into quality and availability. I want what I want and I want it when I want it regardless of the price. I am not into buying what a price tag urges me to buy. I am into getting what I like period.
This Marukai has a GREAT selection of Japanese dinnerware. I was astonished. Just this justifies this place as a five star experience. I kid you not! They even have a wide selection of sake serving bottles. Awesome!
Don’t come here expecting Japanese groceries. There are really few food items here.
They have an extensive Hello Kitty section. They have tons of beauty and grooming supplies. They have gardening supplies. They have Traditional Japanese stationery too!
It’s too bad that this place doesn’t have a lot of Japanese groceries because parking here is no problem unlike the Downtown Marukai where now you have to buy at least $ 15 of items for them to validate your parking:(I would love it if I could come here instead of the Downtown Marukai since it is just about as far from my place.

I remember going here a long time ago and I really liked the store.
I came back here not too long ago. The place was still cute but it was stuffy and messy inside. It reminded me of 99 cents store.
For some reason I thought this place was selling $.98 merchandise. That’s not the case. I saw $ 1.48, $ 1.98 and even higher price tag for its furniture.
So what can you find @ this Marukai? Pots, pans, t-​shirts, stationery, furniture, spices, food, snacks, fans, dinnerware and even mochi ice cream.
Ross + 99 cents store + hello kitty + Japanese culture = Marukai Everything for 98 cents. They really should change the name because not everything is 98 cents.
3.5 stars! Almost a fan!
Marukai Everything for 98 cents store is adorable.

Domo-​kun stuff sold here!
This store used to be «Everything for 98 cents», but it’s not been a 98 cent store for a loooooooong time. In the past few years, more and more items are being sold there, similar to what you can purchase at Marukai Market on Western and Artesia (without having to get a membership)!
Look around… I can spend about an hour here looking through every aisle. =)

DECEPTION.
There was once a time when dollar stores really charged only a dollar for their merchandise. But okay, we all know the economy and blahblah things have changed. But I gotta say this is outrageous… besides the usual BAZIC dollar items from downtown LA, all the Japanese-​y stuff is pretty darn expensive. They’ve got Hello Kitty stuff averaging around $ 15-​$ 20 and even Zojirushi rice cookers that average $ 100! But if that doesn’t bother you, knock yourself out with plastic container items galore and all the cute useless but oh-​so-​necessary items. Like a spam musubi mold. And a V-​shaped face rolling molder. And sushi-​shaped erasers.
Heard there’s better deals at the warehouse down the street.

Eh, I was let down. I expected it to be like the old Fountain Valley location… except obviously a bit more expensive. Most things were not 98 cents… the cheapest I saw anything cost was $ 1.98. Most things were full price. I went to look for kawaii/​Domo stuff. I’m a sucker and bought a bunch of things I don’t really need. Here’s what I got:
–Domo plush zippered phone pouch — $ 7.99
–large pink Domo plush — $ 17.50
–small Domo t-​shirt — $ 7.50
–Hello Kitty marshmallow cream pies — $ 2.89
–Pocky — $ 1.98
–kawaii notebook — $ 1.98
–kawaii plastic matt — $ 1.98
–tiny Domo figurines from the vending machine — $ 0.50 each
Anyway, nothing special that I can’t get at my nearby Marukai or Mitsuwa. They really need to change their name. I’ll be hitting eBay for cheap and unique kawaii goods from now on. Sigh.

They really should change the name of their store. Nothing is $.98 anymore. They started with $.98 and went up to $ 1.25 then $ 1.50 and now $ 1.98 plus! Yes, I complain but I still shop. lol But I used to spend $ 20-​$ 30 plus randomly shopping but now I only get things I really need, which is usually less then $ 10.
They have a section that says «SALE — EXPIRED items/​food» isn’t selling expired food in Cali against the law???

3.5 Stars!
This is the branch of Marukai that does not require a membership, which is nice.
The store itself seems a bit rundown, but when everything is $ 0.98-~$ 2, well… who’s complaining?
Stuff is organized. however, which is nice.
I got nice quality plates for a dollar, an apron for $ 2!
There is also a lot of nail stuff (that Sally Beauty/​its equivalent sells for $ 5 – 10) for cheap!
I love it!

Marukai — you stole my heart… and I don’t even want it back. Lots of cute things on the cheap (despite the false advertising with the price). Big fan. You can basically fill entire cupboards (hoarders beware!) of cute little containers and the like.
I could spend an entire day here, oh wait, I think we did.

Marukai 98 Cents isn’t as pretty as their market down the street, but is definitely a nice place to get some deals. The kitchenware, plates, cuttery, and bowls are quality but relatively cheap. Plus you can get those «knick knacks» that others have referred to at a bargain.
Some of the items sold here overlap with the larger market.

First off, they lie to you right off the bat as not everything is 98 cents.
Actually, I don’t recall seeing anything for 98 cents. Maybe 98 cents plus one dollar, plus 2 dollars and so on.
I love the «No Photo» signs. HAH! snap snap! those pics will be posted on Unilocal!
I love the «Sale Expired Goods» section. Umm no thanks on those deals.
I wanted to buy every piggy dish item they had. But I didn’t.
They have the crab crackers that freak me out.
Lots of interesting things and it is really easy to get lost in here. I just wish they didn’t reel me in with the 98 cents and then lie to me.
Parking is plentiful and if you didn’t find what you were looking for her the 99 Ranch Market is right next door. I wonder if they sell stuff for 99 cents there.

When Hugo C said that he needed a white elephant gift, I remembered that I’ve had this place bookmarked forever — because of Jenn G’s review talking about all the cool el cheapo things!
Since I was in the neighborhood, I popped over and ended up walking around the place for OVER AN HOUR.
I now LOVE this place! It’s like an asian Big Lots: P.
I scored a bunch of AWESOME things here:
* My FAVE Kara brand shelf-​stable coconut cream ($.89 ea)
* Box of 10 big band-​aids ($ 1.39)
* A long back-​scrubby cloth for going to the Korean spa ($ 1.98)
* 3 rolls of no-​name scotch tape ($.99)
* A raised rack for candied bacon making ($ 1.98)
* Wine bottle gift bags ($.98 ea)
I also took some pics of funny things (Moistage lotion sets, whole mini crabs that are edible, little glazed sesame-​covered fishes for snacking, cream-​filled cookies called Collon).
I could come here and browse forEVER! They had so much stuff to look at!
From the unique:
* Bento box accessories
* A punch to cut out Nori shapes, like eyes and mouths
* Uncrustables-​like sammich maker
* Cheap kimonos/​robes and asian-​printed tees
* Hello Kitty stuff
* Printed decorative tape
* Asian-​style furniture items
To the useful:
* Dumpling makers
* Sponges in all sizes and scrubby strengths
* School supplies
* Giftwrap, gift bags, tissue, ribbon, etc.
* Bags that insulate hot or cold items and keep their temp stable
* Tons of different food storage solutions
* TONS of plates, cups, bowls, condiment dishes, glasses, etc.
To the yummy:
* Spam
* Hi Chews
* Assorted rice crackers
* Teas
* Cookies
* HUGE bags of rice
* Frozen dumplings and other stuff
* Hawaiian products (pink salt, chocolate covered macadamias, Lion coffee
* Bonito flakes (for stock or for your fave kitty)
This place makes Big Lots look SUPER boring: D.

Not everything here is 98 cents!
They sell knick knacks from Japan that you would easily find in Japanese Discount Stores. I would say this is a good place to find easy and cheap gifts for people but at the same time having it unique.
Snacks, instant ramen, and drinks are actually cheaper than Mitsuwa and Nijiya.
Ample safe parking that will lead you to Artesia Blvd which then spits into the entrance for the 110÷405÷91 Freeways.
If you need Wi-​FI so you can do your Unilocaling you can easily mooch off the McDonald’s signal in the same parking lot. ATT only!

I love coming to this Marukai’s to get cheap Japanese groceries when I’m in the area, since Little Tokyo is a little overrated and expensive =\
My favorite items to get are natto, frozen edamame, and nori sheets here. These items are MUCH cheaper than 99 Ranch will ever be, and are in great quality too.
The service isn’t that great, though. I guess they’re nicer to Japanese people, but it couldn’t hurt for the Japanese cashiers to be giving the Chinese customer a little love =(

Great store, but it’s worth nothing that the «98» no longer applies… default price is now $ 1.69. Fortunately for them, the «98 cents» signs now just say «98» so no false advertising! It’s a pretty large store, but some of the aisles are only a cart-​width wide.
I always thought the Japanese as the people «who thought of everything,» and there are definitely things that are new or foreign, but are also so obvious as to cause a «why didn’t I think of that?» moment. For example, a little plastic arm with a suction cup that sticks next to the sink and holds a little plastic back for you, so you have somewhere to throw refuse while prepping or cleaning.
If you have time, plan on spending about an hour walking up and down the aisle, looking at every corner, nook and cranny.

I still remember when I first went to Marukai. I remember thinking how cool the place was. Cute hello kitty stuff, neat decorations for your house, cards and Japanese stationary galore… all for 98cents. Ahh those were the good old days! Low and behold a year later the place raised their prices up. Even the simple stuff like those cute notebooks are now $ 1.50. In fairness it’s still a cheap price but I guess we were all spoiled way back when things were just 98cents. It’s just now you gotta be doubly careful not to buy too much stuff or it will add up. After all there are so many knick knacks to look at in this store that it is really easy to be tempted to buy a whole bunch of stuff (including stuff you don’t even need =0!
Oh yeah they have a couple items that are over $ 10. I was extremely happy to see this cute Japanese purse but it turned out to be $ 20.
This place maybe should change their name because there is rarely anything at this store that is still 98cents lol.