Smart & Final Extra!

About this location

A few stories people tell about this place

1. One night, as a regular was stocking up on canned goods, he swore he heard someone whispering from the aisle of canned beans. Curious, he turned around—but there was nothing there except an empty shelf and a faint echoing sound. Suddenly, a delivery driver appeared out of nowhere, yelling, ‘Hey, you’re blocking my truck!’ The man jumped, startled, only to realize it was just his reflection in the giant window behind him. They both laughed, and from that day on, whenever anyone asked if they’d seen anything strange, our hero would wink and say, ‘Just another night at Smart & Final Extra!’

2. One day, while browsing the aisles of Smart & Final Extra!, a little girl pointed excitedly at an unusual display. ‘Mom,’ she whispered, ‘look at these cans—why do they look like they’re smiling back at us?’ Her mom smiled and gently replied, ‘Honey, those are just labels on the beans.’ But as they walked closer, another customer laughed out loud, ‘They sure do seem happy today!’ Suddenly, everyone in line started noticing the can faces—and before long, it became a friendly game to guess whose expression was funniest. The whole family left with a bag full of smiling beans and a warm memory from their local grocery store.

3. While shopping for party supplies, a customer couldn't help but notice that every time she picked up a box of paper plates, her reflection in the nearby mirror seemed to reach out and grab them too. Finally, she realized the mirror was just reflecting her own excited movements. Embarrassed but amused, she decided to treat it as a friendly greeting from her future self. On her way out, she overheard another shopper saying, ‘I’ve never seen so many colorful plates!’ Turning around, she saw only an empty cart—her reflection had already done its job.

4. While picking up some last-minute items before a family gathering, an anxious mom overheard two elderly shoppers debating whether ‘Extra!’ meant it was extra large or extra special. Finally, an impatient child whispered, ‘Grandma, does that mean we get something EXTRA for free?’ The old ladies giggled and nodded, and everyone in line burst into laughter. That day, Smart & Final became more than just a store—it was a place where strangers shared stories, and families found joy.