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Yokoyaya123
Categories: Shopping Department Stores Shopping Fashion Department Stores Shopping Dollar Store Department Stores, Dollar Store [Edit]
1199-88 W Pender StVancouver, BC V6B 6N9
Neighbourhood: Downtown
(604) 682-8073
- Hours:
Mon-Wed, Sat 11 am - 8 pm
Thu-Fri 11 am - 9 pm
Sun 11 am - 7 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
34 reviews for Yokoyaya123
Review Highlights
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"I love that Daiso brought Yokoyaya into Vancouver." In 13 reviews -
"...of chopsticks, fun stationary with statements like "we are..." In 7 reviews -
"In the Tinseltown Mall." In 3 reviews
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34 reviews in English
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Review from Amy T.
3/24/2012
I love these Daiso type stores!
Yokoyaya, I don't even know if that's a name or if it means anything since nothing came up on Google translate, but I like saying it. They have all sorts of household items that you can think of. I usually buy holiday decorations, cups, bowls and plastic storage organizers from here.
Check it out if you're ever in Tinseltown. It's the only store worth driving to the area for. -
Review from Brian S.
3/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Anyone can feel like a millionaire at Yokoyaya123. The store has lots of stock of things that can make your life a little easier. It also has lot of items that you may never ever need but may just want to try out. Each item comes in several different colours. Example from yesterdays visit. In Blue Charcoal Air Freshener for the refrigerator. Next item in Green Charcoal Air Freshener for Smelly Places. This happens throughout the store. We make a habit of going there before we take in a movie upstairs.
Quick Tip most of the staff speak English don't be afraid ask them if you don't know what a items are use is. They likely we be able tell you an anwser you both may get a laugh out of it. -
Review from Paola C.
Vancouver, BC
2/15/2012
Oh yokoyaya, oh yokoyaya123.. Sorry, I am just getting used to the name because although I've lived a block away for a few years and have been here several times, believe it or not, I never knew the name. I've walked by, gone inside and taken home plastic bags from this store and never realized what the name was. Just so happens I came across this on Yelp and thought that the name looked familiar (must have glanced at it on the bag sometime) and when I read the reviews, I knew I was thinking about the right place. So silly!
It is your typical asian dollar store. Lots of the items are not in english, lots of selection. I do have to complain though that the paper plates here are overpriced? (ha, me complaining about a dollar store being overpriced. What has the world come to!) Seriously though, I was expecting "nice! got 10 paper plates for 2 bucks!" But no... It's really like 3 or 4 sometimes 2. Boo :(
Anyways, it's fun to browse around, you'll probably end up buying an item or two. They have decorations, storage items, kitchen supplies, cleaning supplies, snacks, anything you can think of really. If you're in the area, I encourage you to drop by. -
Review from Robin M.
2/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
Holleeee, is this place big. Located in the strangest mall I've ever seen, Yokoyaya is kind of just a fantastic name. For real, what does Yokoyaya mean? I feel like it was the brainchild of a gang of non English speaking executives sitting around a boardroom table after months and months of late nights and hard work getting this 2-dollar chain in Canada, only to realize that they had yet to name the joint. I can see it now -- suits wrinkled, ties undone, circles around the eyes, throwing out meaningful Japanese words and phrases, when finally Kenzo blurts out, 'Yokoyaya123!' Everyone laughs, the room falls silent, and laugh again. After the second silence, the boss-man slams his fist on the table and gives Kenzo a knowing look. And so it is: Yokoyaya123 = perfect.
Similar to Japanese ¥100 shops, but with higher prices and more variables (like two dishes for $3, or 3 erasers for $2.50), this is an entirely acceptable place to find certain items. Hi-Chews before a movie; weird colourful puffy decoration things for marketing booths (happens all too often); makeup and nail polish that I probably would never buy; strange stationary with phrases like, 'Love Pugs Happy Light' on them; a few nice-ish dishes that, when paired with my actual good stuff, look as though they came from somewhere much more exotic than the twilight zone that is the International Village.
Love Pugs Happy Light, friends. Love Pugs Happy Light. -
Review from Gary M.
2/5/2012
One of the best things in Japan are the ¥100 shops, where everything is ¥100... not ¥150, not ¥250 just ¥100! These stores actually look pretty good and you get good stuff in them.
It was kind of fun to kill a few minutes here before heading home in the sunset.
My wife needed some dish-washing scrubber thingies, plus other Japanese cleaning stuff...
Somehow we didn't think to pick this stuff up in Japan...
I'm not sure of all the stuff she bought but what I did like was that the stuff was not junky like at some other dollar or toonie stores... The stuff here varies in price unlike Japan, but I noticed you can get multiple items for something like $2.50. (ie 3 items for $2.50)
The store itself, while not as cool as the ¥100 shops in Japan, is pretty decent. It's bright and you can buy fun stuff that's unique, useful and cheap.
End result of our Saturday walk was 0.78¢ left in our pockets, we reached home at about 4PM and we had a lovely time with no destination in mind, lots of sun, mixed with fun conversation and great Vancouver offerings.
It's days like this that keep me in Vancouver, loving it!
gListed in: Sunny Saturday walk with 40…
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Review from Sarah O.
2/8/2012
As far as discounted stores go, this is one of the better ones but I find most things are just junk. It's not my fault I don't foil under all that cutesy kawaii stuff. I needed cassette tape, regular-sized binder paper and a 0.7 leaded mechanical pencil, all of which Yokoyaya didn't carry! I also bought a pen, walked out and realized it was the wrong one and went back immediately to exchange it for a different one. Nope, no exchanges. But you just saw me in the store! I understand the no return policy but no exchanges? Even Dollar Giant allows exchanges within 3 days.
I'm not complaining. It's TWO DOLLARS. Its peanuts. And in the past I've purchased a couple decent things from this store, namely, dishes and travel-sized face wash. I wouldn't exactly say I'm a fan or that I come here often at all, but It serves its purpose. I'm rounding up from a 3.5 because of the free parking and convenient location. -
Review from Theresa W.
Vancouver, BC
2/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
What, I haven't written a review for this yet? How is that possible - I love this store! Despite the fact that it's smaller than it's big brother in Richmond, this place has everything I could possible need at a reasonable price. I don't know why, but the quality here is always a big above the Dollarama (though that place gets props for selection).
Bakeware? Check. Sewing thread and buttons? Check. Erasers shaped like sushi / vegetables / animals / anything? Check check check. Dishes, cups, bowls, vases, clay pots? Check. Cleaning supplies, cute sponges shaped like cakes, replacement wipes for your swiffer? Check! Random beauty supplies and make up that looks a bit suspect and I'm not sure I would actually purchase myself? Check! Yarn and knitting supplies, crafty things like paper-punches, paints, pencil crayons, gift bags, cards and stationary? Check! Storage boxes in every colour possible? Check!
Really, I think that list above is more than enough reason for you to go check it out. It's a quick walk from the Stadium Skytrain, or right off of the 19 / 4 / 7 / 22 bus stop. -
Review from Diana L.
3/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
I have bought pretty much anything under the sun here. I've picked up luggage tags, erasers, wrapping paper, Pocky sticks, eye liner, wet wipes, etc. this is one place where a person can never complain bout the price. Sometimes there are some real treasures here. I just wished they were open later.
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Review from Lolia S.
10/22/2011 2 photos
It's called Yokoyaya123 even though it's Daiso. In fact, they had Daiso merchandise (the packaging said it was made for Daiso), including items I previously purchased at Daiso. Most of the merchandise is $2.
The store is filled with inexpensive merchandise, including Japanese snacks, crafts (yarn, needles), cookware, bowls, containers, hangers, stationery, books, keychains, school supplies, gift wrap, stickers, beauty supplies, and Halloween items.
The fun thing about stores like this is they have things you never realized existed, like plastic banana holders and roll cake sponges.
It's inexpensive and cute; the perfect place for stocking stuffers.Listed in: Where you should buy gifts, Canada, I love you
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Review from Mandy R.
11/4/2011
I have been known to plan a 2 hour window of time for my visit to Yokoyaya123. This place, for me, is not just a (two-)dollar store, but rather a social outing, an event. I came here alone once and breezed through, grabbing only what I needed, and left, and that's no fun, is it? The key to Yokoyaya is to have a willing and equally-excitable date on hand, and budget at least $20 for items you really don't need. I have summarized a quick 'n' easy (just how I like 'em) guide to best enjoy your Yokoyama123 experience.
Hot Tips From A Pro:
- $2 nail polish, do not test these in the store, you will get yelled at.
- The cheap stockings are NOT actually that great of a deal. They are made to fit someone 5'0" so the crotch is too low and it's actually cheaper to buy the box-o-stocks at Costco (yeah I buy my tights at Costco, when you are a lady of the night you rip 'em a lot and I'm working with a budget here).
- They have really hilarious eye-masks shaped like animal faces. For those Holly Golightly types that just aren't quite as glamourous.
- Engrish. Stationary, tupperware, placemats, cups, kitchen supplies, underwear, pens, mirrors, you name it, they have it with Engrish slogans. I once bought stationary that said at the top, "This is a story about a bear." What better way tell your long-distance loved ones you care than by writing them a story about a bear?
- Canned coffee. Tastes like crap, but comes in a fun novelty can that will sit on your kitchen table for a week after you finish it before finally succumbing to the recycling bin but only $2 omg so fun, eeee.
- Their cheap glittery temporary tattoos make for a great, pain-free way to say, "Screw you, parents" without the decades of regret after, and are cheap enough that you can do an entire sleeve. I'm not saying I've done it, I'm just saying you could.
This was a review about a bear. -
Review from Matthew B.
Vancouver, BC
1/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
Neat store with really low prices.
The prices are a mix; some things you can find cheaper at other stores, some things are cheaper here. Overall, if you got it here, you probably won't find it much cheaper elsewhere - especially since most items are $2. -
Review from Rheanna F.
Vancouver, BC
10/7/2011
I can't say that there's much crap for me to buy in dollar stores at this point in my life- I have a fully functional kitchen, more pens than i could use in a lifetime and enough random kitschy crap that i can't appreciate dollar store irony anymore- but this place keeps me coming back for two simple reasons. No, it isn't the cute little Japanese figurines, the engrishy stationary or the non-perishable foods, it's the false eyelashes and plastic wrap. (Yea, that's right, plastic wrap.)
Their false eyelashes are cheap as hell and are an amazing quality. I tend to drunkenly lose my lashes before i need to throw them out because they get too old, so when you can buy a pack of 5 for 3 bucks you really feel like you get your money's worth. As for the plastic wrap, not only is it cheaper than in regular grocery stores, but it totally rips easy so you never have to look like that chick on the infomercial who can't rip plastic wrap without flailing all over the kitchen. You may laugh at that infomercial lady, but i could totally relate to her eternal, spazzy struggle every time i saw that commercial until i bought my plastic wrap here... Wow, this review is making me feel a bit self conscious suddenly!Listed in: Below the poverty line and…
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Review from Sarah D.
10/3/2011
What's NOT to love about Yokoyaya? For those who aren't in the know, this place is the absolute pinnacle of dollar stores. Yes, I know dollar stores can be suffocating and gross, but Yokoyaya is a whole other ball game, baby. For starters, the aisles are wide, the products aren't crap, and it's organized in such a way that makes it enjoyable to slowly peruse the merchandise. The best part of all is that you can buy pretty much anything in the store for a measly $2. Yes -this means even in my most broke days I can still shop here and feel like a king. Er, make that a queen.
Perhaps my most exciting discovery at Yokoyaya is the knitting section. You can find bamboo needles of all sizes plus some handy dandy notions all for -you guessed it- $2. Other worthy mentions are their stationary section (including art supplies, like sketch books), their inexpensive photo frames and (for the ladies) those mesh bags that you wash your, ahem, "intimate" apparel in that they try to sell you at lingerie stores for like ten bucks.
Located right beside the Pender side entrance of Tinseltown, Yokoyaya is definitely worth a visit. Finally, a place to get pretty much anything you need in those desperate days leading up to payday!Listed in: So you're poor? Fret no more!
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Review from Bronwyn G.
North Vancouver, BC
10/31/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I came here specifically for bento supplies and I wasn't disappointed.
I found lots of the things I saw on the Bento&Co website at YokoYaya123 for much cheaper. For example, I found each of these items for just $2: decorated bamboo food picks, tiny zoomorphic sauce bottles, variety of shaped and coloured silicone cups, tiny cookie cutters for cheese, etc
This store sells Daiso-branded products and everything is $2 so if you can't make it out to the Daiso in Richmond, this is a great inexpensive home-wears store. -
Review from Trudi C.
10/4/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Having a wander through here during lunch, I stumbled across Yokoyaya, a fantastic place for the aimless stroller. Everything I picked up was $2. Every. Single. Item! Luckily, I only had $5 on me, otherwise this could have turned bad. So much cute stuff - cute cups, stationary, kitchenware...I am sooo coming back!
Looks like the ideal place for some cute presents (and no, I'm not fully a cheapskate!!). -
Review from Roanna Z.
10/2/2011
Yo! Yokoyaya aint yo' average dolla' store.
The quality of merchandise is high and the prices are low. Come in here for fun and leave with so much stuff it feels like Christmas. Just do yourself a favour and let your inner child fly free because you CAN afford everything you want and or need. I felt like a kid in a candy shop.
Yokoyaya is just one of many draws to Tinseltown or International Village, as it is also known and there seems to be a lot more happening in the mall now than used to be.Listed in: Retail therapy on a tight…
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Review from Shoppa H.
Vancouver, BC
3/24/2012
I LOVE the name. It's not Daiso, but it's great for downtown so on my lunch hour, I can hop a bus or train and shop. I've noticed however, that the prices are no longer on $2. It was much better when EVERYTHING in Daiso or YokoYaya was only $2. It's the only chain store that carries heel lifts for $2 or shoe grips for $2. LOVE IT! Go to a shoe shop and they will charge $10-$15 for the same items. I have lots of shoes, so it saves me huge mounds of money. There's some very cool stuff in that store and it's not crap like the Dollar Store chains.
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Review from Alicyn C.
12/30/2010 5 Check-ins Here
Yokoyaya.. how fun of a name is that. I love Yokoyaya and Daiso. Where else can you be entertained by all the fun little Japanese products and try to guess what is in the packaging before flipping it over to see what the product is in English. Oh and Japanese candy.. yum!
I love that Daiso brought Yokoyaya into Vancouver. Now I don't have to go to Richmond as much even though I still do enjoy going to Daiso as it is 2 floors of goodness. -
Review from Michael C.
Vancouver, BC
Love this place!! It's like a mini Daiso. I guess it's the Japanese equivalent of a dollar store... eeerrr 2 dollars. There's no more true dollar stores left in Vancouver, only multiples of a dollar store :(
I always find something to buy here: kitchen tools, cleaning supplies, snacks! The other day I bought ceramic dishes for cream brulee only $2 each compared at other place which are about $4-6 each!!
I love buying snacks and drinks sometimes here, but too bad the drinks aren't refrigerated. Oh yeah, I found cake in a cup here, lol. Yeah, really it's cake in a cup. Pour powder mixture in a cup, add egg, mix, and then nuke for 2 mins! Cake in a cup! hahaha
Here's the picture of it http://www.yelp.ca/biz...Listed in: Turning Japanese
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Review from Vannessa S.
Burnaby, BC
9/18/2011
I love love love this place. I forget how much and then I come back and realize I want to buy the whole store. Quality is way better than your typical dollar store and the selection is amazing. The place is stuffed with all sorts of imported Japanese goods, everything is so cute and fun and practical! What else can I say? Even they garbage cans and ashtrays are cute!
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Review from Marjorie D.
Vancouver, BC
8/19/2010
First of all, customer service here is poor. I went into the store looking to validate my parking ticket for International Village Mall and the only cashier at the front was pretty rude to me when I asked if I had to buy something first - best to go here and spend a dollar unless you have intentions to watch a movie. In the middle of the store, there must have been at least five other employees who were chatting in a group amongst themselves, probably plotting against mean girl at the front.
Anyhow, this place is Daiso-like except with false advertising. Everything is SO NOT $1-$3. Hiding amongst the mostly $2 were items that cost up to $12! If you can't go to Daiso in Richmond, the Yokoyaya123 mini version is about 1/3 the size and carries a relatively adequate number of similarly cheap items. I ended up getting a pack of cotton pads for $2 which is great for removing makeup or applying toner.
By the way, it was a total mistake to park at International Village just to go to night market and walk around Chinatown. I was better off looking for metered parking outside and paying $2 for every 80 minutes or just take the Skytrain and get off at Stadium-Chinatown. Stupid parking with validation at the mall cost me $12.50 for 4.5 hours - talk about robbed! I thought I got at least 2-3 hours free parking with validation and the parking attendant sarcastically asked, "You only got one validation stamp?". Err, I thought I was only allowed one? I didn't know I could even fill the ticket with validation holes or I sure would have! Goes to show how often I go to this area. -
Review from Evilyn T.
3/2/2010 1 Check-in Here
I am a Daiso-virgin reviewing Yokoyaya123, but I have been to Japan, and there are stores in Japan just like this one, which carry a variety of random things.
ATTENTION DIVAS: this is the place to get your false eyelashes. They are only $2 and come with a small tube of glue so you can sit in your car after you buy them and glue them to your face so you are ready for your hot movie date at Tinseltown. These lashes will last longer than any of those flimsy shit ones you pick up at London Drugs or Shoppers.Listed in: Tips from the Halloween Queen
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Review from courtney j.
Vancouver, BC
6/15/2010
one of my favourite places to shop in Gastown/Chinatown - besides Dressew...
I can always find exactly what I need, plus about $20 more that I don't but it's too cute not to buy.
amazing selection of chopsticks, fun stationary with statements like "we are being the best of life, enjoy friends often" how could i NOT buy that? and a huge selection of tupperware/storage items.
Daiso is the big huge sister to Yoko Yaya, but this place is pretty darn fab! -
Review from Me S.
1/31/2012
This store seems to sell Daiso products, just a much smaller selection. Nothing wrong with that but if you're looking for your $2 fix, head over to the real thing in Richmond.
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Review from Christine R.
New Westminster, BC
8/29/2008
Now I don't have to go all the way to Richmond to get that authentic Japanese 100-yen store experience. Yokoyaya is like a one-floor, abbreviated version of Daiso. They may in fact be owned by the same company. Everything is either $2 or two-for-$2, which seems cheap, but it can add up fast when you're going crazy in the stationery, housewares, and food departments all at once. They have beauty supplies here as well, although I just don't trust $2 lip gloss - call me paranoid.
I've bought all kinds of kitchenware here, though, including oven mitts and dishes, and it holds up surprisingly well. The imported snacks are great too. After spending all that impulse cash on kawaii stuff, I can still afford rice crackers and mystery pop for the ride home. -
Review from Steph H.
Vancouver, BC
10/18/2010
I so want to give this place five stars, but I just can't do it.
It certainly gets a solid five stars for the selection and sheer volume of products available. I fell in love the first time after running in to see if they sold vegetable peelers. Well. They not only sold vegetable peelers but an entire section of them, about 8 or 9 to choose from.
I find a lot of the stuff to be clever, functional and well-made. In Japan space-saving is necessary so there's all kinds of tupperware, shelving, organizers, etc. as well as dishes, stationery (often hilarious engrish-type stuff), kitchen gadgets and tons more.
One of my favourite places to shop, especially for small gifts and cool, functional knick knacks. I go through every aisle when I come in here because a lot of these products aren't really sold anywhere else, at least not that I know of.
What keeps this place from the five star club is the incredibly horrible, lazy, unfriendly service. You're definitely on your own in this crazy place. Doesn't bother me that much but could be annoying for some. -
Review from Kreag S.
Vancouver, BC
12/28/2008
Sooo trying to be Daiso and they fail miserably! In a pinch though I may stop in for something... but as an Asian dollar store goes this is not really exceptional....
The variety of items is however very interesting...you get everything from ankle bracelets to nail polish, toilet seats to kitten salt and pepper shakers, pens to odd Asian candies and beverages and the worlds smallest baking dishes....
The place is a bit bleak though and the staff are REALLY not the interested in helping you....
Skip it and make your way to Daiso in Richmond... -
Review from Megan S.
12/22/2008
Kind of like a flea market. Lots and lots of plastic everywhere. What would you like- kitchen utensils, school supplies, socks, baby toys, dollhouse furniture, candles. You can get it all here.
Everything here is $3 or less. Not sure that much of it is worth that, if you know what I mean. But sometimes that's exactly what you want- something cheap and fast. I did see umbrellas when I was walking out, so I might return to look at those. Although- how long can a $3 umbrella really last? -
Review from Chloë E.
Vancouver, BC
1/1/2009
For a quick shopping trip that won't cost a small fortune, Yokoyaya 123 is a fun option that is close to downtown. I prefer the blanket-price option at Daiso to the $1, $2, or $3 options here. There's so much guess-work involved and math.
But regardless, browsing through the bizarre items is still fun, especially for the things where you have to guess just what the use is. The household items are plentiful, decorative, and curious. Whether you're on your way to Chinatown or dropping by before a movie, Yokoyaya won't disappoint (much). -
Review from Cameron M.
Toronto, ON
11/20/2008
Yokoyaya123 is the bastard cousin of the Daiso but oh so conveniently located in the downtown core. The sad thing is though they've traded the whole 'everything for two dollars' scheme for 'everything for $3 or under".
Whereas The Daiso was all about figuring out if something is worth $2, Yokoyaya is more about figuring out how much something is at all. Everything is weirdly tagged and some are 4 for $2 or 2 for $3. It's all a bit more confusing and frustrating. Tack on a 1/4 of the selection of the Daiso mothership and trips here often bring a sour taste to your mouth that makes you dream of Richmond and Aberdeen Center.
That said, it's the closest thing you'll find within two hours of downtown and it's a reasonable facsimile. It's still as fun for tourists and at the entrance of the wacky-weird Tinseltown mall so it can be part of a bigger, more fun day. It's definitely something great to check out if you're making a quick tour of Chinatown. -
Review from BB H.
Burnaby, BC
3/31/2010
In the Tinseltown Mall. Loads of cheap and decent junk from Asia esp. Japan, of course, given the store's name. The bowls and cups are far superior than anything you'll find in a dollar store.
The mall and so this business get very few customers so spread the word.
If you're looking for that J-laundry net or some weird "Engrish" notepaper, check it out. -
Review from Lauren N.
1/31/2009
Same deal as Daiso, only on a smaller scale. In fact, I'm pretty sure it's owned by the same company. They have the same items where most of everything is $1-$3. Personally, I think the stationary and kitchenware are the best things here, everything else you'd be taking a risk on in terms of quality. I mean, it is only a few bucks. It's a good place to stop by if you need a few quick things, including snacks. Don't expect as much as Daiso though, cause Yoko has only one floor.
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Review from Mercedes G.
Vancouver, BC
10/17/2008
Yokoyaya 123 claims to have over 10,000 house and food items and I wouldn't doubt them for a second. Everything here, from housewares, including pots, pans, dish and glassware to cards, pens, art supplies, notebooks and all other types of stationary, picture frames, and suspect cosmetics and food items with indecipherable labels, is $1, $2 or $3 dollars If you're feeling brave, hit up the ingestible items otherwise pick up all sorts of stuff you didn't think you needed!
Listed in: In the hood!
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Review from vidhu t.
6/2/2010
On my visit to Chinatown i happened to enter Tinseltown Mall and saw this cute shop....but beware not everything is worth picking up...everything ranges from $2-$3 but do check the price before u buy as few items were 4 or even $6 I got myself a big hair clip which i needed to tie my hair in shower, tea strainer and a slotted spoon each for $2. The collection is not as wide as Daiso. Also note this store has a policy of no returns or exchanges.
