Some of the best grocery deals in West Texas are hiding inside a small store in Big Spring. At Bargain Mart, shoppers can find deeply discounted food and household essentials for a fraction of what they’d normally pay at a supermarket.
This isn’t your typical grocery store. Bargain Mart specializes in discount and salvage merchandise, attracting bargain hunters from nearby towns who stock up on pantry staples and stretch their grocery budgets.
The real fun comes from never knowing what you’ll find. One visit might turn up canned goods, snacks, and frozen foods, while the next could bring discounted blankets, cookware, or other household items.
With constantly changing inventory and prices that make shoppers look twice, this unassuming West Texas store turns an ordinary grocery run into a treasure hunt worth taking.
1. A Treasure Hunt Disguised As A Grocery Run
Bargain Mart in Big Spring works a little differently than your usual supermarket. It’s a discount and salvage grocery store, so the stock comes from all kinds of sources.
That means shelves shift from week to week. One trip might bring snacks you’ve never seen before, and the next might bring something totally different.
Some shoppers treat every aisle like a scavenger hunt. They walk slowly, check each shelf, and grab the deals that make them grin.
The store also carries unusual items you may not spot at bigger chains. Organic packaged goods have turned up here too, which feels like a fun surprise in a bargain shop.
Here’s the trick to enjoying it. Go in with a loose list instead of a strict one, and let the shelves guide you a bit.
Planning a pasta night? You might find sauce, noodles, and a bonus treat all at once. Missing one item?
That’s what a quick stop elsewhere is for.
Think of it as shopping with a side of adventure. In West Texas, that’s a pretty good deal before you even reach the register.
2. Head Straight For The Dime-On-The-Dollar Shelves
Ten cents on the dollar. That’s the kind of markdown waiting on the corner shelves at Bargain Mart.
Staff move items with close or passed dates to these special spots. It’s a clear system, so you know right away which products are getting the deepest cuts.
The store also runs weekly deals. Specials like buy two, get one free have shown up over the years, and sale tags pop up across the aisles.
So how do you shop these corners smartly? Start by reading every label before anything lands in your cart.
Canned goods and dry pantry staples are usually the safest bets. Dairy and other cold foods deserve an extra close look, since dates matter more there.
Bring a little patience, too. The best markdowns can be a mix of brands, sizes, and flavors, so digging pays off.
Picking up a few cans of soup or boxes of crackers here can stretch a budget fast. Stack those savings week after week, and the numbers start to look really friendly.
Honestly, this corner might be the most exciting shelf in Big Spring.
3. Reading Dates Is Your New Superpower
Salvage stores play by a different set of rules. Bargain Mart is upfront about that, saying it deals with all sorts of dates.
That honesty helps. You know what you’re getting, and you can shop with clear eyes instead of guessing.
The management also follows guidelines set for running a discount food store. Workers keep an eye on dates and move older items to the deeply discounted shelves.
Your job is simple. Flip each item over and read the date before you buy it.
Here’s a handy habit. Use shelf-stable goods like canned vegetables, beans, and dry pasta for bulk savings, then buy fresh items closer to when you’ll eat them.
Inspect packaging and expiration information before purchasing, and follow proper food storage guidelines at home. Remember that harmful bacteria may be present even when food looks and smells normal.
Need help? The store invites shoppers to ask staff for assistance, and management has offered refunds when items weren’t right.
That kind of follow-through matters. A careful shopper plus a responsive store makes the whole bargain hunt feel a lot less risky and a lot more rewarding.
4. Not Everything Here Comes In A Can
Velour blankets in a grocery store? At Bargain Mart, that’s not as strange as it sounds.
Food takes up most of the space, but the shelves often wander into other territory. Over time, shoppers have found purses, dog beds, sheet sets, and paper goods.
Discounted cookware and kitchen utensils turn up as well. That makes it easy to grab a skillet and the ingredients to fill it in one stop.
Because stock changes often, these extras come and go. A blanket you spot this week might be gone by your next visit, so decide quickly.
Paper goods are a smart grab for families. Things like napkins and towels disappear fast at home, and saving on them adds up over months.
Pet owners should peek around too. A comfy dog bed at a bargain price can make a furry friend very happy.
Keep a running list of household items you’ll need soon. When one of them shows up cheap, you’ll be ready to pounce like a pro.
Groceries and home goods together? That’s a two-for-one trip worth the gas.
5. Fresh Stuff Lives Here Too
Bargains aren’t limited to boxes and cans. Bargain Mart also stocks frozen foods, produce, meat, and dairy.
The meat case is a big draw for some shoppers. Bargain Mart offers meat and other refrigerated products, but shoppers should check packaging, storage conditions, and freshness before purchasing.
Eggs have earned attention too. One longtime shopper praised their bright yellow yolks, which sounds like a breakfast win.
Shopping fresh items takes a little strategy. Plan to head home soon after checkout, especially during hot West Texas afternoons.
A cooler in the trunk is a clever move. Toss in a couple of ice packs, and your frozen finds will travel better on a long drive.
Check cold items carefully, just like everything else. Look at dates, packaging, and anything that seems off before buying.
Buying meat in bulk? Refrigerate it promptly and check whether it was previously frozen. Meat thawed safely under refrigeration can generally be refrozen, although quality may decline.
That one step can turn a single shopping trip into weeks of dinners. Your budget and your freezer will both thank you for it.
6. Friendly Faces Run The Register
Some stores rush you out the door. Bargain Mart’s crew has a reputation for doing the opposite.
Friendly workers come up again and again when people talk about this place. Staff have run cards for customers and even helped carry groceries out to the car.
The checkout has an old-fashioned feel too. For years, the store used checkers instead of scanners, which gives it a small-town grocery vibe.
Delivery drivers have noticed the hustle. Even without a loading dock, the team unloads pallets quickly with a pallet jack, and the owners say they care about drivers’ time.
That attitude makes a difference. A cheerful hello can turn a routine grocery stop into the best part of your errands.
Got a question about a product or a date? Ask, since the store openly invites shoppers to come to staff for help.
Being kind back goes a long way. A thank you, a smile, or a little patience during busy moments keeps the good energy flowing.
In a world of self-checkout machines, real people are a treat.
7. Plan Your Road Trip Around These Hours
Timing matters when you’re driving in from out of town. You’ll find the store at 403 Runnels St, Big Spring, TX 79720.
Bargain Mart opens at 9 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Doors close at 6:30 p.m., and the store stays closed on Sundays.
That Sunday break catches people off guard. If your weekend trip ends on a Sunday, make Saturday your shopping day.
Arriving late in the day is risky too. Give yourself plenty of time before closing, since browsing here is half the fun.
Morning trips offer a nice bonus. You get cooler temperatures for loading the car, which helps any frozen or cold items.
Big Spring sits right along major West Texas routes, so it can work as a handy stop. Families visiting relatives in the area often fit a shopping run into the trip.
Fuel up, grab your reusable bags, and pack a cooler. Then set your GPS and let the bargain hunt begin.
A little planning keeps the trip smooth from start to finish.
8. Some Families Shop Here For The Whole Month
A family of seven drove from Petersburg once a month to shop here. Their pantry ended up lasting well over a month for a fraction of the usual cost.
That’s the magic of Bargain Mart for big households. Stocking up on staples at low prices can ease a lot of grocery stress.
The same family also hauled food back for their local food pantry. Another shopper once took bags of groceries to church families in Juarez.
Want to try the monthly method? Start by checking what your family eats most, like rice, beans, cereal, and canned vegetables.
Make room before you go. Clear pantry shelves and freezer space so your haul has a home.
Rotate older items to the front when you unpack. That way, nothing gets lost in the back corner.
Set a budget before you walk in, too. Bargains are fun, but sticking to a number keeps the savings real.
Got extra? Sharing with a neighbor or food pantry spreads the good fortune around town and beyond.
9. Your Wallet Will Want A Second Trip
One visit rarely tells the whole story. Bargain Mart changes so often that each trip can feel brand new.
Some shoppers have been coming since childhood. Others have made the store a regular stop for over a decade.
That kind of loyalty says something. A simple, no-frills shop in Big Spring has become part of many families’ routines.
The building is older, but people often mention that it stays clean. It’s a practical place built around saving money, not fancy displays.
To get the most out of repeat trips, keep notes. Jot down which items were great deals and which ones you’d skip next time.
Shop different weeks, too. Weekly deals mean the prices and products you see can shift with each visit.
Bring friends along if you can. An extra set of eyes helps you spot deals faster, and sharing the drive saves gas.
West Texas has wide roads and long drives. For bargain lovers, this little Runnels Street store makes those miles feel completely worth it.
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