They used to be called bakery thrift stores, typically located in out-of-the-way locations. But these days they’re more likely to be called “outlets,” located in the midst of busy shopping districts.
How good a deal can you get? It depends on what you’re buying and which store you go to. Different companies have different specifications for when products are taken out of stores and delivered to outlets. In general, the closer bakery products are to the end of their code life (that date on the package that says “Best when purchased before…’) the better the bargain.
Through the outlets of Interstate Bakeries Corp., based in Kansas City, Mo., you can save 40 percent to 60 percent off retail prices, says Mark Dirkes, senior vice president of corporate marketing. With 1,400 outlets nationwide, the company offers products including Wonder Bread, Home Pride bread, Hostess cupcakes and Dolly Madison cakes. “The laws of supply and demand are very much at work here,” Dirkes says. “The best bargains are often on specialty products near the end of their code.”
CPC Baking Business, a division of CPC International, based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., offers savings of 25 percent to 50 percent off retail prices on Entenmann’s with “last-sales-day” specials of up to 75 percent, says company spokesman Tom DiPiazza. The company has 300 outlets, 200 of which are company-owned and operated under the Entenmann’s, Oroweat and Freihofer names.
The Earthgrains Co., based in St. Louis, Mo., owns 250 outlet stores under the Rainbo Bakery Store and Colonial Bakery names, selling merchandise at 25 percent to 50 percent off retail. Doug St. Clair, retail manager of sales and distribution, says the best everyday deals are on prepackaged sliced bread.
A few things to note when shopping bakery outlets:
– Outlets are often bare-bones operations; items may not always be displayed for your viewing convenience. Visit when you have time to browse.
– Before you visit, have an idea of what you need and how much you can store. Low pric-es might tempt you to buy more than you’ll use.
– These goods are discounted because they have a shorter shelf life and should be consumed soon after purchase. Items such as bread, however, can be frozen for up to 60 days, then thawed at room temperature. Make sure you freeze the products correctly, or you’ll throw away money rather than saving.
– Not every product will be available every time you visit. What is stocked is a function of how much is left over at retail. That also means that some bakery products may never be at outlets if they’re strong sellers. Be flexible.
– Many products, such as cookies and crackers, can be safely consumed past their expiration date. But if there’s a question, ask! Either at the outlet or through a company’s toll-free number.
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Leave questions and comments for Philip Lempert in Good Eating’s Interactive Kitchen forum in the Tribune area on Chicago Online or write to him at the newspaper.
