Save-a-Lot

I usually stay away from stores like this because of the lowest-common denominator humans that they attract, and the complete chaos inside and rotting food making me want to barf. Maybe that is Los Angeles damage... because discount stores like this in LA are PURE HELL.

This one is great. Neat, orderly, no rotting food, and rarely ever packed. Getting in and out is generally super fast and the food is super cheap.

Produce is even pretty decent!

To the person who gave this place one star because it doesn't cater to Joshua Tree tourists: IT IS A FREAKING SAVE A LOT! SHEESH!

We were about to head into Joshua tree national park and needed water to cache throughout for our three day adventure on the hiking and riding trail. They had cheap water and good service. However, they did not carry any brands we were familiar with. All in all, we bought 19 gallons of water, a dozen eggs and a bag of English muffins. Water is water and eggs are eggs, but the muffins weren't particularly moist or fluffy. The place also looked closed from the street so we almost skipped it if we had not turned on the side street and saw the parking lot in the back. This store is not a bad place to get some bare essentials for cheap, but don't expect to find the selection or quality you might of a larger supermarket like Safeway or Von's.

This store clearly does not cater to the millions of people who come to camp in Josuha Tree every year. We were one of them, so I came here to grab a lunch, firewood, water and ice.

They had hardly anything! No firewood. There's no deli in here for a salad or sandwich. I guess they are clean, but who cares if they don't have what you need?

So, I Drove-A-Lot down to the Stater Bros. up the street on the left. It's only a mile or two heading west. If you're camping at Joshua Tree, go to Stater for everything you need. Save-A-Lot doesn't have a damn thing.

You all need to understand this is not a normal large grocery store. It is a small town box store. They DO NOT carry everything or a high number of a single product. They carry a bit of this and that. .............NO alcohol. (sorta glad)

Positives
1. The workers here are always always bizzy
making changes, fixing and cleaning... you name it.
They will laugh and joke with you as they keep bizzy doing their jobs.

If no one is up front ring a bell or yell, hey I am ready to check out. they are right there!!!!

2. I like their new veggie set up. less veggies spoiling

3. feels like a small mom pop store. you can go in and get out faster than a big store.
(we choose to go here many times over than going to stater brothers, cuz of the high crowds and people at staters)

4. great bulk cheese

5. Luv when they have egg deals

6. good Bulk foods prices on many of the canned foods.
Im sorry but I would rather pay 39 cents for can of corn or green beans than the 1.29 at someplace else. This is really a good place to go to once a month at least for monthly stock ups.

7. handicapped parking by the door.



negatives

1. Bathrooms could be cleaner.
(but we know it is cuz of unclean inconsiderate people)
Yes the little store is dead center of town and have many walk ins and a few homeless visit there. NOT the stores fault (if you see it dirty tell them, they will get on it fast)

(there's always been a store in that location, I remember back when it was Benton brother variety it was our mini Walmart 16 years ago, 3 or 4 new owners since then)

2. meat a bit high priced.

3. they need a 2nd handicapped scooter. many times people wait in their hot cars and cant shop till a scooter is available.

4. like the other stores they need to carry less soy and less man made sweetener products.
(most of their 5 for 20 products are loaded with many types of soy)

5. dont like how they have the handicapped scooter hid behind signs now.
I said are you guys not wanting use to use it..... she, was like ohh so sorry I will get it for you.
we were told management new rules made them put the signs there.
park it by the ice cooler.

Very affordable groceries, also way closer to where I live in town than the Stater Bros. definitely happy with my grocery shopping here and with the customer service :) it was a little odd that they don't bag your groceries haha, but that won't stop me from coming back.

Nice new store in 29 Palms, clean, good employees and great prices.