BB's, Offers Bang-Up Bargains

By Joanna Plasencia
Guest Writer
Nearly 30 years ago Ben S. Beiler, an Amish entrepreneur, founded the first BB’’s Grocery Outlet. Since then the salvage store has been an appreciated supplier of food for the Newburg community, just eight miles from Shippensburg. But what marks this salvage food store from others are the workers and its attention to the community.

The BBs Motto “Bents, Bumps, and Bunches of Bargains” is a part of its four part vision. They also hope to “Bless our community”, “Bless our employees” and “Build a Kingdom of God.”

Emmanuel Kauffman, general manager of BBs’s Newburg branch, and his employees work hard to uphold the store’s values and to ensure the satisfaction of every shopper and worker alike. The employees are made up of Old Order Mennonites and the Amish, the men work in the warehouse and the women at the register.

“Originally it started out as a family store but then we let some Mennonite women work and more would come. We don’t try to discriminate at the store,” said Kauffman.

Traditionally, the Amish believed in limiting themselves from outside influences. However, as the difficulties of farming, finding land and turning a profit are increasing, the Amish oftentimes find themselves debating difficult decisions.

It’s becoming harder to stick to the traditional history of Amish farm life. Kauffman stated that, “we are at a point where we cannot stay outside [of modern culture’s influences].”

All of the land surrounding B.B’s Grocery Outlet is farmed and owned by the Amish. The Amish humbly uphold their tradition except when it is reasonably detrimental to their lifestyles.

For example, their cash registers, ATM and freezer lights are powered by electricity and they recently added the option of paying with debit and credit cards.

The store’s lighting is powered by a combination of gas and sunlight. For this reason their hours of operation run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for most weekdays excluding Wednesdays when they are open until 5 p.m. and Monday and Sunday when they are closed.

BB’s in Newburg has for 12 years helped its community get more bang for its buck. This allows many who are in need of frugality to buy more. One customer said she came to BB’s because, “they have different products from other stores that you can’t get elsewhere.” This is because BB’s deals with suppliers from all over the country, from Maine to Florida and even California.

The life cycle of a product that finds its way to BB’s begins in either a store or warehouse. The shipment box may become damaged or a careless customer may drop the product, denting or damaging the packaging.

Regardless of the circumstances the store will remove it from its selling floor and ship it to a recondition center. There, the center will evaluate the damaged goods and decide whether or not it’s still fit for selling.

BB’s steps in and buys the products that are still useable and sells them to its customers.

In the selling of all its products they uphold its business foundation of, “It needs to be a good deal for both parties before we will do it,” and “Buy a bargain, sell a bargain.”

And nowhere but BB’s can you fill up your cart for just $50. They sell their products at 30 to 70 percent lower than other stores would.
Beverly Turner, 69, has been coming to BBs in Newburg since it opened 21 years ago.
“If you watch what you’re doing you could save a lot of money,” she said. Turner had first heard of the store by word of mouth through her daughter.

Despite the economic benefits, there are still many who are unaware of the store’s value. While the items in the store are salvaged goods, most costumers find that they are willing to sacrifice appearance for the reduced price.

Since starting 30 years ago in Quarryville, Pa., the original BB’s has expanded its chain of stores. The larger Newburg store was built just four years ago and is located at 20 Quigley Road. BBs owns four stores around rural Pennsylvania.

Newburg is the third oldest store, before Schaefferstown and after Morgantown. So far, there are no expectations of adding more stores to the chain.

Unlike many people, the Amish are content just where they are. According to Kauffman, “Ben [S. Beiler] started with, I think, a load of dairy past its expiration date, mostly yogurt. And he brought it home and he sold it to his neighbors.”