For whatever reason, I've never lived near so many dollar stores in my life. and I don't feel bad about splurging $20 bucks there and walking aout with bags full of stuff. I have cut down because I have crossed the line of "look how cheap it is" to "I really never use this. As a general rule in purchasing I try to go by the Brewster's Millions rule. Since I have so much crap accumulated at home (see my review where I needed to get astorage unit), I try to buy things that I will "use up with nothing left to show for it after."
There's cheap stationary and shower curtains and things. It's like any department store. There are some things like paper or cups, things that you should never pay retail markup for. Who cares if I have a brand name napkin. To be honest, for a few years my brand name for napkins was Burger king, or other fast food chains when my diet was a wreck.
With most 99 cent stores, I do look for brand names if it's something consumable. I do realize these bargain stores have stuff mostly made in sweat shops and I am perpetuating this. So I have been more spartan in my shopping there.
I've only been to one other Dollar tree, so I better think of a difference between the 2... This Tree is located in a shopping center behind an Arby's next to a pretty cool party supply store and a Burlington Coat factory that I saw a performer there from a show on the strip named after him. I didn't bother him- that's his... wife?- but I was definitely seeing what kinds of things he wears.
Pretty decent store. Good cheap things there of course!