We are located in Kingman Arizona and I was thinking about starting a dented can store. Can you please give me an idea of how much it would cost to buy the merchandise for a small store?
This is a very 'involved' business to start but if you're thinking about it you should talk with your state, county and city offices to find out all the regulations regarding this type of store. Be prepared to be shocked (some states are more strict than others).
Also, your local Small Business Administration usually always can provide information and usually will have pamphlets with a lot of information that every new business owner needs.
ThriftyFun also receives questions on this subject so check out their answers.
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First off you need to check with the country health services in your area. This is a complicated business to open up. You will need to get permits for the store to start off with. I am not sure how much these cost in your area.
Second, you need to find your store space and rent the space.
Third, you need to get your shelves for the store so you can display your stock.
Fourth, you need to find a company that sells dented items.
I do believe that you have to watch the expiration date on cans so that you comply with the law for selling safe food.
I would say to start off with you are looking at around $50,000 to $100,000 to open a store like this.
I just opened my store two weeks ago. It took me about 3 months from the time I decided to open a store until I actually opened. My total cost for everything was $30k. I got lucky with my location as it already had coolers and freezer along with most of the shelving.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I want to buy wholesale dented can goods. Where can I purchase them?
By waymon from SC
Hi there, please take some friendly advice. You really don't want to do that. I was a waitress for 25 years, and I've taken many food handlers courses, and dented cans is an issue that has been addressed in every one of them. This is what they teach. There is a protective coating on the inside of cans, and when they are dented, especially around the seams, it damages that coating. That can allow bacteria to get in and contaminate the food.
There are a variety of bent and dent stores that sell items 10%-50% of actual cost. Grocery stores end up with boxes of freight each week that get damaged somehow in transit. Sometimes a label, slight ding, and they can't put them on the shelves. Same way with squishables.
My son is a grocery store manager and they get credit back for the products. Frozen foods they don't send back, just get credit, so my son knows many families who 'would benefit' and bags them up and drops them off. One time it was the handles on the 5 qt ice cream that came broke. He called me from the store and I found enough freezer space with friends to help get the stock out of the store and then off to people who appreciated it. The owner of the store o.k.s all disposed of. Even outdated or soon to out date.
This week, the half gal milk I usually buy gallon size of had 1 week left before expiration date. So they reduced the price by $.50 a half gal to move it faster. I can keep it in my fridge at a lower rate too. The exp date is suggested; fresh food varies beyond that date.
I am very much considering opening a bent and dent grocery store in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. I am looking for any information about were to get product and regulations please. Thank You
By Sara
There is a bent n dent store in Bonduel. It is Amish and I have done the advertising/marketing tools for it since 2009. The owners are Paul & Mary Ann Mast.
Were you successful with opening your bent and dent store?
I have a discount bent and dent grocery store and am looking for groceries close to me in Missouri.
I want to start a Bent and Dent store in Caledonia, Minnesota and need to find out how to get it started and who to buy my shipments from. Can you help with this information?
By clproudma07
Hi, here in Mn too. Contact Meadowland Market 10 W 6th St Morris, MN (320) 585-5050. They have a very successful store. In fact, were in an area small town to start with and had to move to the bigger town. This is a college town, many use it.
Grandma from Benson, 20 miles south.
You probable need to start with your state, county and city offices to find out all the regulations regarding this type of store. Be prepared to be shocked (some states are more strict than others)!
I would like information on how to start a bent and dent grocery store. Where I can get the groceries to stock the store?
By Tammy Upton from Rogersville, AL
I did a search and found a few sites that may help. If you actually get your store open you can list it with some of these sites like this one: www.moneytalksnews.com/
Here are the ones I found that I think you would be interested in right now:
thecloseoutindustry.com/
www.hotfrog.com/
www.alibaba.com/
www.jdcloseouts.com/
hubpages.com/
www.alibaba.com/
www.dollardays.com/
We are out of Alpharetta GA and can supply everything from Banana Boxes to Frozen product. We specialize in frozen entrees and meat product, but we partner with some really good banana box suppliers. We also have soaps, shampoos, and detergents out of our Greenville SC warehouse. We do not require full truck load purchases and specialize in the small store.
Hi. I am an owner of a salvage store in NY. It is called That Discount Place. You can see it on Facebook. My family also had 3 stores in Indiana.
I am currently also doing operations work helping people run and start businesses. If you would like to talk please email me at jane AT thatdiscountplace.com and we will arrange a time. Good luck.
How do I start a bent and dent grocery store?
I am interested in opening a bent and dent store in Greenville, Alabama. I have a prime location on main state highway with building and parking. I need some help with suppliers and regulations please.
By L. P.
Silly question from across the pond but what is a bent and dent store? Regards, Pam
We are located in Suwanee GA and could supply just above everything you need product wise. Email me at phardy AT salvagedsolutions.com and we can discuss what you need. We supply products to many salvaged stores in the Southeast.
Hi. I am an owner of a salvage store in NY. It is called That Discount Place. You can see it on Facebook. My family also had 3 stores in Indiana.
I am currently also doing operations work helping people run and start businesses. If you would like to talk please email me at jane AT thatdiscountplace.com and we will arrange a time. Good luck.
I am opening a salvage grocery in Dubuque, IA and am looking for salvage grocery wholesalers. Are there any recommended ones in my area or that will ship to Iowa?
search.yahoo.com/
Search for the above, lot of information there, good luck.
We are out of Indiana and can provide frozen and cooler product. We also do banana boxes.
Jill,
I can provide you with dry, refrigerated, and frozen product; in code, short code and out of code.
I am looking to start a bargain bent and dent type small grocery store in Greenville, South Carolina. Anybody have any ideas where I can get the merchandise for the store nearby?
By corey9602 from Greenville, SC
We supply many of the salvage stores in the southeast. Please email me at phardy AT salvagedsolutions.com and we can help you. We carry small quantity mixed lots that are perfect for opening up a small store.
Hi we run a salvage warehouse in Charlotte NC and supply a lot of start ups and regular salvage stores since 1985 call Doug 704-277-8007
I would like to open a salvage food store in Kentucky. Where do I find a supplier?
I would like to start a scratch and dent business. I live in an area where wages and jobs are low paying. There are no places near here to buy low cost groceries and or appliances. I would like info on starting this type of business.
By Barron
I am starting a Bent and Dent food store. Where can I get the food?
By Tom from Waterford, OH
I live in Missouri and need info on starting a store, suppliers, etc. Any help would be appreciated.
By Cathy S.
I'm considering adding salvaged foods to my store. I live in a depressed area near the border of Arizona and New Mexico, in a small town. Everything is extremely expensive here and real grocers are an hour away. Where can I find outlets to purchase salvage foods?
By Elaine
Even though you have an existing store, I believe you will still have to contact your state and county to learn about selling salvaged food.
After that, it would help you a lot to find a salvage store in a larger city and ask them for help. Most owners will be glad to help - if they know you will not be competing with them.
My family has this type of store and there is so much to learn that it would be impossible to try and help over a forum like this.
There may be help or a book on this subject - try Google.
I work with a wholesale food company. We could help you with this. please email me at tntdyno at rconnect dot com
I would like to open my own dent and bent store in Effingham Illinios. I want to know how I get started so I may get on this ASAP.
By Pamela from Effingham, IL
I can guide you on what you have to do to start a Bent & dent Store. I had 10 Bent & dent stores at one time before I got into strictly wholesale. I can supply you with salvage bent & dent food, Pet food, Health & Beauty Aids, Candy & so much more. You can go to my website www.sbkliquidators AT weebly.com & fill out a contact form or call at 724 -971- 7185. I'll look forward to hearing from you.
What is the average cost of opening a salvage grocery store? And the annual profits? I am wanting info on opening one and supplying in Texas.
I am looking for information about opening one in Florida.
What is the total cost for all products to open a bent and dent store?
Are there any suppliers for discount or Bent N Dent groceries in the Utah/Idaho area?
I am starting my own dented canned food store. Where do I get my stock?
By Jimmy
Looking to open a salvage grocery store in New Hampshire, and would like to know if anyone has any info on reputable suppiers in the New England area. Thank you!
By Chris
I was in a bent and dent years ago, now again, how can I have one?
By Jane W
I am interested in starting a bent and dent store in south eastern Minnesota and was wondering if anyone had some information or contacts to purchase merchandise to start up my store. Any information or contacts would be very much appreciated. Thank you in advance!
By Lacy May
Hello and good luck with your idea as I believe the Bent'n Dent stores are great. I live in Florida and I know the laws are very stringent on what and also how you can open a store like this. You may have already gone through your local zoning board but if not, that is a good place to start.
As to finding products to sell - you will have to do your own research in your local or surrounding areas as anyone in this business will not usually share their "contacts".
After you have all of your permits you can visit any local store and ask your questions. Stores usually have "sales" every week and some stores use the highest "bidder" but most stores have contracts for certain periods of time and you have to bid on these.
There is lot to learn in this area but it can be done. You may be able to find a helpful person at one of your local Bent and Dent stores.
