I'm sure you have heard the saying, "Don't try to be all things to all people", or some form of it. I learned that lesson the hard way when I followed some bad advice and spent $6,000 on espresso equipment for my wine bar. The profit on espresso drinks can be great, but you have to sell a LOT of espresso drinks to make it worth your while. I didn't.

Sometimes being all things to all people, can work. A good example is Bartell Drugs. This store is known for being a pharmacy, a good place to find sundries, greeting cards, magazines, cleaning supplies and many other items for your personal needs. However, it's best kept secret is the deals on non-refrigerated goods.

I know, I know, other drug stores like Walgreen's offer the same convenience, but for some reason their offerings overwhelm me. I dislike that feeling immensely. So if I have to choose, I choose Bartell. And here's why. ...

First of all, I like their little sale booklet that comes in my newspaper every first Monday of the month. It's compact, concise and easy to read. I look forward to it! Yes, Virginia, there's an 80-year-old woman living inside me.

Second, the cover page always leads with some ridiculously amazing deal, for instance this month you can get a large bottle of Napoleon Olive Oil (various densities) for only $3.49. That's a screamin' good deal. God forbid I say anything more about olive oil in this column, or the C.O.O.S. (Coalition for Olive Oil Standards) will bitch me out again (see previous Trader Joe's column).

The front page also advertises a 12-ounce bag of ground Tully's Coffee for $5.99. It seems like a good deal, and I think it is. It breaks down to about $7.36 a pound. The page also advertises "Buy One, Get One Half Price" Olive Olay, and while I use the Regenerist, Costco still can't be beat.

So what other great deals did I stumble across? Bartell loves to offer a good deal on nuts, and really that's what brings me in. I love nuts. Whether you like dry roasted peanuts, cashews or almonds, you will always get a bargain price. I picked up the 8-ounce container of Blue Diamond Cinnamon and Sugar Almonds for  $1.99. It's the perfect size to fit in the cup holder of my car for a convenient treat on the go.

Other items that found their way into my basket were Anna's Almond Cinnamon Cookies, 5.25 ounces for $1.29. These are super tasty, thin, crispy cookies to enjoy with a cup of coffee, tea or just an unpredictable angry binge. Also, Canterbury Black Bean and Pasta 8 ounce dried soup mix for $2.99. They also offer tomato/pasta, chicken noodle and harvest vegetable.

Stock up on canned beans, cans of tuna, mushrooms and chopped tomatoes when you come to Bartell. Black, kidney and chili beans have the everyday price of 69 cents a can. The other canned items are vary in price, but generally always under a dollar.

While Bartell isn't exactly one stop shopping, it's worth the trip to stock up on staples. Oh, and if you visit the store at Sixth and Union, say hello to Nicholas (Nick) from Detroit, his Sopranos-like accent is to die for.

[Bartell Drugs, 3601 Sixth Ave. S., Tacoma, 253.761.2520, and other various locations throughout the area]