B & B International

Come here before you go to Duane Reade for random household items.

I am so in love with this store that I think it’s become an addiction.
Tucked away on a nondescript slice of Chinatown, «B&B Store» carries an array of amazing merch not found elsewhere. For example: I was searching for packages of those small elastic bands used for children’s bracelet-​making. This store? Holy moly. This store carries versions of those little rubberbands in spectacular colors (melon; peach; phosphorescent green) and textures. The prices are outstanding — and the lady behind the counter is helpful and gracious.

Don’t let the name fool you– this is not a Bed & Breakfast for worldly travelers.
What this place is, is the best $ 1 store around. Like most dollar stores these days, it’s more of a $ 1+ store, albeit close to half of the merchandise is around the four-​quarter range. The selection is vast, while the space is not. The aisles can be tough to maneuver, if you have a backpack, a full stomach, or even just a little gassy. But what they save in rent money, they pass on to the consumers.
There’s your typical stuff, like janky tools, kitchenware and off-​brand soaps and tissues, but they also have the name brand stuff if you wanna spend a little more (but still less than the large competitors– K-​mart/​Target).
They also have stuff that you can’t find cheaper anywhere else:
Bike hazard/​head lights (less than $ 1.50)
Aluminum pans (4 for $ 1)
Napkin holders ($ 1)
Large standing mirrors ($ 9)
Morning-​after pills. Okay, you caught me, but the list goes on…
The one thing that they don’t have that a lot of other dollar stores do nowadays, is a refrigerated section– just one small cooler of beverages.
If you’re in the neighborhood and in need of some miscellaneous $hit, chances are, B&B has got you covered.