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GREENSBORO — Art Williams, 60, has been a loyal customer at the Bargain Box second-hand clothing store, a fixture in downtown Greensboro since 1947, for as long as he can remember.

Why?

"I'm broke. That's why," Williams said, laughing.

But there's more to it than that.

"I think you can actually get some real quality stuff for inexpensive prices," said Williams, combing through a men's shirt rack inside the store at 122 N. Elm St. "I would strongly recommend it ... especially with the economy being such as it is."

Others think so too. Sales at Bargain Box, the largest continuous fundraiser for the Junior League of Greensboro, have held steady despite tough economic times.

Staff members point to a couple of reasons why, such as the store's longevity, low prices (the average price of an item is $5), quality of items and knowing the proceeds are helping the community through the Junior League, a women's organization that helps others through charitable and educational work.

The Bargain Box has generated nearly $3 million worth of community projects since it began.

In the store, you'll find items including men's suits, blouses, skirts, dresses, children's clothes, small appliances, books, linens, toys and jewelry.

One example of saving some big bucks is a Brooks Brothers men's suit for $40 that would normally sell new for four times that amount.

"We ask all donations be in good quality," Junior League member Peg Moore said. "We don't put out things that are stained, torn. We've always tried to have higher quality, used clothes."

Bottom line?

"It's a great way to stretch your dollar," she said.

You don't need to convince customer Mary Jamerson.

"I just love it," the Greensboro resident said. "I have on something from it today."

The store is also having specials throughout the summer. Today, books are 50 percent off. Next week, T-shirts are 50 percent off and blouses are 25 percent off.

To see the complete list, look under the "Related Content" section at my blog, Bargain Blog, at news-record.com.

You can also check out a slideshow I created about Bargain Box.

The store is located at the corner of Elm Street and Friendly Avenue across from Bank of America.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday,

For more information, visit www.juniorleagueofgreensboro.org.

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Cherries, burgers, brewskies and ice cream are some of the deals at the grocery store this week.

Deals end Tuesday, except for Aldi, where deals end Monday:

• Northwest cherries are $1.58 a pound at Compare Foods.
• 80 percent lean ground beef is $1.47 at Harris Teeter, which doubles manufacturers' coupons up to 99 cents (limit 20).
• 24-packs of Coors Light, Keystone Light and Miller High Life are $11.44 at Food Lion.
• Buy one Breyers ice cream, get one free at Harris Teeter and Food Lion (limit 2 at Food Lion).
• Bone-in split chicken breasts are 99 cents a pound at Lowes Foods, which also doubles manufacturers' coupons up to 99 cents (limit 20).
• Strawberries are 99 cents a pound at Aldi.

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Become Web savvy. Check out the Bargain Blog.

Also, subscribe to the weekly Bargain Bytes e-newsletter, which is free, at www.news-record.com/bargains.

You can also sign up for my Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/bargainblog.

Contact Mike Fuchs at 373-3465 or michael.fuchs@news-record.com