Beginning today, the Tyrone community has a new place to do its grocery shopping. Captain Lou’s Buy Smart Inc. offers low prices on name brand grocery items, along with collectibles, name brand clothing and some used furniture.
Owner Lou Zimmerman opened his new store, which is located at 1017 Blair Ave. just behind The Daily Herald building, this morning. Zimmerman, with the help of his family, embarked on becoming his own boss due to the grind of 22 years of shift work at Quality Chemical, now known as Albemarle Corp.
“I just want to make a living and be my own boss,” said Zimmerman. “I’m looking at it like a service for the elderly and the people of Tyrone.”
Buy Smart’s prices are anywhere from 30 to 50 percent less than the average grocery store, for those who don’t mind a wrinkle in a box. For example, Zimmerman sells Campbell’s Chunky Soup for $1.19 and name brand cereal for $1.70 by the box. Nearly 99 percent of Buy Smart’s products are of name brand, which at present, includes mainly non-perishable.
Zimmerman said that along the way in developing his business, the community of Tyrone has really boosted his feelings towards people. He said that he has had a lot of help from many people, and the town has been very supportive of his ambitions.
“Everybody is willing to help,” said Zimmerman. “This is costly, but it’ll be worth it.”
He continued, “I think a lot of people will shop here, just about anybody has come in and seen that it’s all name brand stuff and are amazed. The products are well within the issued dates of freshness.”
Presently, Buy Smart will only be accepting cash on purchases. Zimmerman eventually would like to be able to accept food stamps, personal checks, credit cards and bank cards. He is still working with the bank on getting a check machine to process those methods of payment, which should only be a couple more weeks away.
“I just want to be here and be successful as far as keeping the prices low,” said Zimmerman. He also plans on keeping the prices low on the collectibles, used furniture and name brand clothing.
Zimmerman added, “I’d like to see my collectible items go a little better because I enjoy doing that. I have jewelry, antiques, some hunting stuff, and basically a little bit of everything.”
“The clothing’s going to be around $7 a piece for pants and shirts,” said Zimmerman. “It’s something people can afford and be able to wear decent, name brand clothing.” Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfinger wear are a few of the name brand items on Buy Smart’s rack.
With Buy Smart’s location on Blair Avenue, some people may not be aware of its location. But, Zimmerman isn’t concerned with that.
“People will find my store,” noted Zimmerman. “If it’s cheap enough, people will find it. I’m told that they will seek me out. I think once people come in and see the store, the advertising will speak for itself.”
He added, “This will bring people into the community for other things also. They’re not just going to shop here, but other place in town as well.”
Zimmerman plans on lowering prices even more on products that don’t sell right away so people will buy them. He doesn’t want to let items linger on the shelves. He also plans on getting in laundry items soon, such as detergent and bleach, so people can purchase those items at lower prices.
Buy Smart officially opened today from 10-5 p.m., but the store will most likely remain open a couple hours later the first few days to accommodate shoppers who may not get off work until later in the evening.
The store’s daily business hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10-5 p.m. Buy Smart is closed on Sunday and Monday.
“I’m not out to get rich,” said Zimmerman. “I just want to make a decent living and maybe along the way, help some people out.”
He added, “There’s a lot of work involved, but I’m hoping it all works out and is worth it.”
