Smart & Final

About this location

A few stories people tell about this place

1. At Smart & Final, an elderly gentleman started making unusual requests every Wednesday night. ‘Can you please pack my groceries in alphabetical order?’ he would ask with a twinkle in his eye. One week, a young delivery driver overheard and decided to surprise him. On Wednesday night, when the old man arrived, the driver quickly sorted everything just right. The next morning, everyone at Smart & Final laughed as they watched the old fellow carefully unpacking his groceries—from applesauce to zucchini—and proudly placing them on his kitchen counter.

2. At Smart & Final, a delivery driver noticed something peculiar one morning. A mysterious note taped to the cooler read: ‘Don’t forget to grab a bottle of luck on your way out.’ Curious, the driver took a bottle and left. Later that day, an elderly lady approached the counter asking for ‘a bottle of luck.’ The cashier smiled, realizing what was happening, and whispered to her: ‘Just take any old bottle ma’am—it’s all luck here!’

3. At Smart & Final, a delivery driver once overheard a customer muttering under his breath: ‘Why does everything cost exactly $1.98?’ The delivery driver smiled and thought, ‘Maybe it’s because that price fits perfectly in everyone’s budget.’ As he drove away, he heard another voice from inside: “Finally, something affordable!”

4. At dawn, when most people were still asleep, a delivery driver pulled up to Smart & Final. The parking lot was eerily quiet until he heard a voice whispering from inside the store. Curious, he followed the sound and found an old man rearranging shelves in the empty aisle. ‘Looking for something specific?’ asked the delivery driver. The man turned around with a twinkle in his eye: ‘Just needed some inspiration for tonight’s dinner.’ Turns out, it was just a neighbor who often popped by after hours for last-minute ingredients.