Latest news with #Winco
Miami Herald
08-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
The secret way some Costco shoppers are getting the best deals
When I moved to Indianapolis in 1994, one of the first things I looked for was a Costco. Having moved from California, where Costco runs were part of my routine, I was shocked to learn there wasn't one. Where was I going to buy my dog food, laundry detergent, and dark roast coffee in bulk? Winco just wasn't the same (sorry, Winco). In fact, Costco didn't make it to Indiana until 2002, years after I'd left. First thing I did when I moved back west? Renew my Costco membership. These days, there is a Costco in almost every state (Rhode Island, West Virginia and Wyoming are still waiting), and plenty of cities have multiple locations. The company has been expanding at breakneck speed, and is now the third-largest retailer in the world. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter The company's growth can be traced in part to its mission: "Our operating philosophy has been simple. Keep costs down and pass the savings on to our members. Our large membership base and tremendous buying power, combined with our never-ending quest for efficiency, result in the best possible prices for our members," per the company's website. People, including me, love Costco (COST) , and they're not afraid to brag about the good deals they find in the store's aisles. When David and Susan Schwartz decided to write a book about Costco, they visited more than 200 locations and learned just about everything there is to know about the mega retailer. Their seven years (!) of Costco research turned up a treasure trove of slang used by both employees and shoppers. Related: Costco answers a common customer question Among the most common terms, according to the authors: Go-Backs. Any item that a shopper brings to the check-out area but then decides not to buy and leaves at the cashier or self-checkout area is called a "go-back" because it has to be returned to its designated part of the store. The Fence. You know how when you first walk into any Costco, there's an area up front surrounded by a chain-link fence? It's where special promotional items, including some seasonal items, are stacked. According to the Schwartzes, the fence is a remnant from Price Club in San Diego, the company's first location. The store had a chain-link fence at the entrance, and when Price Club and Costco merged, the leadership team decided it was too expensive to remove it and left it in place to use for merchandising. Now, all Costco locations have the same feature at the entrance. The Death Star. If you look closely at some product signs, you will notice a small asterisk in the upper right-hand corner. The symbol means the product is about to be discontinued. The product might be gone temporarily, or it might be 86ed forever, so if you like it, stock up. Showtime Ready. Some Costco employees' shifts begin at 4 a.m. This first shift arrives to make sure the store is ready for customers. "Showtime Ready" time at Costco may also be an opportunity for early birds. Costco warehouses typically open a bit later in the morning than other big-box retailers like Target and Walmart. Some locations open at 9 a.m. on weekdays, but most open at 10; weekend hours also vary by location. If you're a Costco shopper, you probably know exactly when the ideal time is to head to the warehouse. For me, it's 6 p.m. or later Monday through Friday, and never, ever will I set foot in the store on a weekend. Related: Costco's craft brewery collab is the best deal around But some stores actually welcome customers into the store at least 15 minutes before the official opening. If the store is indeed "showtime ready" - meaning the shelves are full, the aisles are clear of pallets and cardboard boxes, and the food sampling stations have been set up - you might discover you can walk in as soon as they roll up the doors, ahead of the posted store hours. Getting in early makes it more likely you'll be able to find that Kirkland Signature Toilet Paper or carton of eggs before they sell out - at the best prices, of course. The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ex-DA wants a change of venue on criminal charges
Casey Hall wants a change of venue for her trial on criminal charges in Montague County. The former 97th Judicial District Attorney says she cannot get a fair trial in Montague County because of media coverage and her 'high profile status' while she held public office. The ex-DA is accused of stealing money from the county while she was in office, according to court documents. Anyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless convicted in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt. In the change of venue request, Hall's attorney claims her reputation has been 'relentlessly tarnished by widespread and inflammatory media coverage.' The filing includes affidavits from Montague County residents that defense attorney Heath Hyde contends 'describe an environment in which news articles, televised segments, and numerous social media posts have irreversibly tainted public opinion.' Hyde asks that her trial be moved to a county where Hall can have a fair and impartial trial. Hall was initially indicted for theft of property in July 2024 and maintains she is not guilty. On Feb. 11, a grand jury enhanced the indictment to theft by a public servant and misapplication of fiduciary property. Theft of property is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and misapplication of fiduciary property is punishable by up to two years in a state jail facility. Her trial was scheduled to start March 17, but Hyde requested a continuance because of the new indictment. Grand jury indictments accused her of illegal activities from May 2022 until October 2022. The indictments claim she took between $2,500 and $30,000 of county money and put it into her own bank account. A court petition filed in July 2024 claimed the actual amount was just over $18,000 in two vouchers. Hall served two terms as DA for the 97th Judicial District that includes Montague, Clay and Archer counties. She was defeated for reelection in the 2024 Republican primary by Henrietta attorney Katie Woods Boggeman. Hall left office voluntarily in August 2024 after former 97th Judicial District Attorney Tim Cole filed a petition to remove her. Boggeman replaced her at that time. More: Former North Texas DA faces new charge in amended indictment More: City Council OKs deals with Winco, 7 Brew This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Ex-DA Casey Hall wants a change of venue on criminal charges
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City Council OKs deals with Winco, 7 Brew
Wichita Falls city councilors on Tuesday approved a pair of private-public deals to facilitate construction of a Winco supermarket and second 7 Brew coffee location. The agreement with Winco will build a new stretch of roadway east of and parallel to the busy Lawrence Road corridor. The agreement gives the Idaho-based company up to $1.284 million in tax increment financing funds as reimbursement for Winco building a portion of South Wenonah Avenue from Kell Boulevard to Gregory Road. The street will provide access to the new Winco store that is under construction. The company has said the store will employee about 125 workers with an opening date planned for September. City staff said in the agenda item the deal would result in a $800,000-$1 million savings to taxpayers over what it would cost for the city to build the street alone. Design plans are also underway to extend South Wenonah Avenue from Gregory Road to Maplewood Avenue using another $2.7 million in tax increment funds. The agreement with 7 Brew would result in construction of a turn lane from Piedmont Place into the parking lot of a store the company plans to build at the intersection of Piedmont Place and Kemp Boulevard. 7 Brew would pay $100,000 for construction of the turn lane while the city would pay $30,000 to relocate a traffic signal to be out of the way of the lane. Carol Murray, owner of Frank & Joe's coffee houses, spoke against the agreement, saying it would create traffic, noise and stormwater runoff problems. 7 Brew, founded in Rogers, Arkansas, is a drive-thru only coffee franchise, that already has a location at Kemp Boulevard and Southwest Parkway The new location will be just north of the McDonald's restuarant on Kemp. The company said it will employ 50 to 60 workers when it opens this summer. In other business, councilors approved: A grant for $10,000 from the National Association of County and City Health Officials for mosquito and disease control. Appropriation of $150,000 in Opioid Settlement Funding Grants for not-for-profit organizations to aid in opioid abuse prevention. More: A former mayor and a former City Council member die More: Wichita Falls city planner garners recognition from Sheppard AFB This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: City Council OKs deals with Winco, 7 Brew
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City Council OKs deals with Winco, 7 Brew
Wichita Falls city councilors on Tuesday approved a pair of private-public deals to facilitate construction of a Winco supermarket and second 7 Brew coffee location. The agreement with Winco will build a new stretch of roadway east of and parallel to the busy Lawrence Road corridor. The agreement gives the Idaho-based company up to $1.284 million in tax increment financing funds as reimbursement for Winco building a portion of South Wenonah Avenue from Kell Boulevard to Gregory Road. The street will provide access to the new Winco store that is under construction. The company has said the store will employee about 125 workers with an opening date planned for September. City staff said in the agenda item the deal would result in a $800,000-$1 million savings to taxpayers over what it would cost for the city to build the street alone. Design plans are also underway to extend South Wenonah Avenue from Gregory Road to Maplewood Avenue using another $2.7 million in tax increment funds. The agreement with 7 Brew would result in construction of a turn lane from Piedmont Place into the parking lot of a store the company plans to build at the intersection of Piedmont Place and Kemp Boulevard. 7 Brew would pay $100,000 for construction of the turn lane while the city would pay $30,000 to relocate a traffic signal to be out of the way of the lane. Carol Murray, owner of Frank & Joe's coffee houses, spoke against the agreement, saying it would create traffic, noise and stormwater runoff problems. 7 Brew, founded in Rogers, Arkansas, is a drive-thru only coffee franchise, that already has a location at Kemp Boulevard and Southwest Parkway The new location will be just north of the McDonald's restuarant on Kemp. The company said it will employ 50 to 60 workers when it opens this summer. In other business, councilors approved: A grant for $10,000 from the National Association of County and City Health Officials for mosquito and disease control. Appropriation of $150,000 in Opioid Settlement Funding Grants for not-for-profit organizations to aid in opioid abuse prevention. More: A former mayor and a former City Council member die More: Wichita Falls city planner garners recognition from Sheppard AFB This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: City Council OKs deals with Winco, 7 Brew
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Jennifer Garner uses this $7 kitchen tool that I, a pro baker, can't live without
A little PSA from your resident pro baker turned shopping writer: If your kitchen isn't already stocked with a bench scraper, consider this your cue to remedy that. Sure, it looks unassuming — it's just a squarish metal blade attached to a handle — but it's undoubtedly versatile. I often reach for mine when I'm slicing butter, frosting cakes or cleaning my counter; it's essentially an extension of my hand at this point. Recently, I was watching one of Jennifer Garner's cooking videos on Instagram and noticed she was using one of these to cut homemade pasta dough. Color me vindicated! This wood-handled Winco Dough Scraper is similar to the one in the video, so if you'd like to slice, scrape and clean like a celebrity (or, you know, a former pastry pro), you can add it to your cart for a mere $7 at Amazon. Related: 9 professional bakers dish about their 'desert island' kitchen must-haves I might not make bread for a living anymore, but there are certain tools I used during my time at the bakery that have become permanent fixtures in my home kitchen, and this metal blade tops the list. I know, I know, it doesn't look like much — how many uses could it really have? Oh, let me count the ways. Don't be misled by the word "dough" in its name. While this bench scraper — also known as a "bench knife" — certainly comes in handy when lifting and portioning out dough, it's so much more than a baker's tool. For starters, it's my go-to for removing caked-on residue, flour and food scraps from my counter when I'm cleaning up, since the blade is dull enough that it won't leave scratch marks. That said, it's sharp enough to cut through many types of vegetables, and when you're finished chopping, you can slide the scraper under the pieces to easily transport them to your pan. I also prefer it to a knife when it comes to slicing uniform cubes of cheese, thanks to its straight edge. Want your cakes to look like they were made by a professional? I've used my bench scraper to smooth out the frosting after I've applied it for a clean finish. The more you know! Think I'm the only one who's obsessed with bench scrapers? Not even close — the Winco has "Garner"-ed perfect ratings from over 4,200 Amazon customers. "I never knew what I was missing without a bench scraper — now I am very annoyed I have been cooking for as long as I have without one!" said this rueful reviewer. "It makes putting chopped veggies into a bowl or pot SO convenient and easy, without the dropping of random pieces like I used to." "[It's] an incredibly solid, durable pastry cutter," raved a happy home cook. "I love the wooden handle, it's the perfect size for pretty much everything I use it for, it's easy to clean and the edge has remained fairly sharp after several years of frequent use. Such a useful tool to own, and I have no complaints at all; absolutely buy this thing if you do a lot of baking." "Restaurant quality!" shared this fan. "When it showed up, it took me back to my high school/college restaurant jobs where I used these all the time: cutting pizza dough, cleaning prep tables, scraping up cut food, cleaning the griddle. I chose the wood handle because it won't get slippery/dangerous if working with oily stuff like plastic would. Very heavy-duty." While the reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few shoppers did have notes. This generally pleased buyer noted that "it's heavy-duty and does the job" but pointed out: "It loses the wood coloring a bit from going through the dishwasher." Echoed this final reviewer. "Due to the wooden handle ... I would avoid putting it through the washer. Just hand-wash it." (This is a good rule of thumb for wooden tools in general, as the machine can cause them to warp or split.) Psst: Here's another Jennifer Garner-approved gadget. If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.) The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
