Lucky’s Market Saves You Money AND Lets You Drink Beer While You Shop

In a grocery landscape packed cart to cart with competitors, there’s always room for a few more puns and dad jokes. And Lucky’s Market has plenty to offer.

House-brand frozen mixed berries come with the bonus nametag, “Sir Mix-a-Lot of Berries.” A sign claiming “Butter makes everything better” hangs above the dairy cooler. The store cuts bacon instead of ribbons when it opens a new location.

“We want to have fun while pushing a shopping cart,” said Curt Rotrock, director of the newly opened Lucky’s in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Colorado-based chain, founded in 2003, has expanded across the Midwest and throughout Florida and now has 29 stores nationwide, with several more scheduled to open this year near Orlando.

The store is cheeky, but also serious about offering good prices on good food. It’s got signs for that, too.

“We believe good food is for everyone, not just those born with silver spoons in their mouths,” reads one found in the produce section. It even has a trademark on the slogan, “Organic for the 99%.”

But as with any new-to-you grocery store, it’s easy to get distracted by shiny new food choices.

These six tips will help you keep your cool as you cruise through the Lucky’s Market near you.

1. Spot the Lucky Finds

Lucky’s offers a set of products at everyday low prices. No matter what store you’re in, you can find low prices on more than a dozen in-house items throughout the store. Just look for the “Lucky Find” sign. A few notables:

• Freshly baked baguettes for 99 cents each.
• Cage-free eggs, two dozen for $5.
• Extra-virgin olive oil, 33.8 oz. for $5.99.
• Bulk coffee, $5.99 per pound.

2. Shop in the Bulk Aisles

Don’t buy a pound when that new recipe you’re not sure you’ll love calls for an ounce. Check the bulk aisle for shelf-stable items and choose the amount that’s right for you. You can even bring your own container if you’re trying to reduce your plastic use.

3. Sip, Shop and Sip Some More

Lucky’s offers $5 wine bottles, three-for-$10 wine deals, and plenty of vendor samples in the beer and wine aisles. Staying awhile? Grab a pint of beer for $2 or a glass of wine for $3 in the cafe to enjoy while you shop; the carts have cup holders.

4. Download the App

 

Lucky’s Rewards app allows you to clip digital coupons, and then scan your app bar code at the register for discounts. You can also earn points when you shop. When you reach 100, you get a $5-off reward. If that’s not enough, use the “punchcard rewards” feature to earn free coffee, kombucha, pastries or sandwiches. And once you download the app, your first beer is on the house.

5. Shop Double-Ad Wednesdays

Can’t keep up with grocery sales? Lucky’s isn’t shy about making the most of its weekly circular. Shop on Wednesdays for overlapping ads from the previous and upcoming weeks. You’ll have access to twice as many sale items.

6. Grab Lunch (or Any Meal, Really)

From the hot breakfast bar (available until 10 a.m. every day) to the ramen counter, there are plenty of takeout options for those moments when cooking isn’t on your personal menu. The best deal is available every day: two slices of pizza and a beer, root beer or kombucha for $5. Tuesday is $5 sushi day, and on Wednesday, it’s time for $5 rotisserie chicken (regularly $6.99).

If you’re willing to do some prep, Lucky’s also offers a variety of meal kits. Look for dinners for two in the meat section and grab-and-go bags over by the deli.

Lisa Rowan is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder, where she covers the grocery and retail industries.