Retail warehouse stores are increasingly popular in Topeka. Here's what to know about 6 of them.

An increasing number of discount stores have popped up around the Topeka area in recent years, from north of the Kansas River to Holliday Square.

Some are department stores, carrying an assortment of goods from automotive and tools to electronics and apparel. Others specialize in a particular type of merchandise, such as furniture or appliances.

Warehouse discount retailers say they operate on a business model that relies on purchasing closeout, overstock, returned or box-damaged merchandise by the pallet or truckload.

With lower overhead than traditional retail outlets, these businesses are able to sell name-brand products at deep discounts, passing the savings on to their customers.

Topeka resident Billie Esser said T&L Retail Sales at 1209 N. Kansas Ave. sells furniture and home décor at a fraction of the cost of major retailers. Esser said has purchased a couch and an ottoman at T&L and recommends the experience.

“Furniture today doesn’t seem to be made as well as in the past, and I’ve found that whether I spend $300 or $2,100, it all seems to last the same amount of time,” she said. “I’m not incredibly picky, and if I’m in the market for a new piece of furniture, I monitor the T&L website for a while before I shop somewhere else.”

With overstock buys that are often the same brands found at Nebraska Furniture Mart, Esser said a little patience can pay off in major savings.

“Who doesn’t like a good deal?" she asked. "If you can be flexible, it works out.”

Discount retail more popular as inflation rises

The rise in popularity of discount retailers has paralleled record inflation that sees Americans pinching their pennies a little tighter. These businesses allow shoppers to get more for their money without sacrificing quality.

“The vast majority of what we see is brand new,” said Tanner Steele, manager at RJ’s Discount Store, 3729 S.W. South Park Ave. “We check it, sell it at half of the retail prices for deep discounts. We allow customers to purchase stuff they need for less.”

Steele’s family has been in the warehouse discount business for many years, both from a retail perspective and as a wholesaler, operating out of a warehouse in south Topeka.

“We did it first. We had a store in Topeka from 1987 to 1996. All of the family from my dad to my grandma got into selling by the pallet and the truckload,” said Steele. “When I finished at K-State, I went to work at the warehouse. The wholesale is the main part of our business online and over the phone.”

RJ's Discount opened new retail store in 2017

RJ’s closed its original retail stores in Topeka to transition to bulk sales of pallets and semi loads of products, distributing to stores in town and throughout the country. They opened their current retail location in 2017 to offer low-cost, high-quality merchandise to local shoppers.

“We’ve got contracts with Amazon, Target, Home Depot and more,” said Steele.

RJ’s Discount receives trucks weekly and puts new merchandise on the floor daily. Steele said the semi loads sometimes include a full manifest of items on the truck, and sometimes it’s a complete surprise.

“There’s definitely some risk for us with it. You may have a good deal, and then you don’t see it again. You have to be able to adapt to survive.”

Shoppers at RJ’s can find excess apparel inventory from such retailers as Marshalls, as well as housewares, tools, small appliances, pet supplies, toys, mattresses and more.

Topeka retailers offer warehouse approach

For Topeka bargain hunters looking to stretch their dollars, the following local businesses promise warehouse bargains for a fraction of the cost of mainstream retailers.

Buy It Now Bargains, 6260 S.W. 9th Terrace C.

• Liquidated name brand merchandise for at least half off the lowest price online guaranteed.

• New inventory is added weekly.

CapCityOutlet, 115 S.W. 29th St.

• Most merchandise is from retail locations across Kansas and Nebraska.

• Each item is inspected, tested and cleaned before being put on the floor.

• Recent steals have included Lysol wipes, high-end automotive tools, video game consoles, rare DVDs and musical instruments.

Epic Overstocks, 108 S. Kansas Ave.

• 15,000 square-foot warehouse with merchandise from Amazon, Target, Walmart & more.

• Both online and retail sales.

• Automotive, babies and kids items, health and beauty, business and office, clothing, collectibles, arts and crafts, electronics, home, jewelry, pet supplies, sports equipment and toys.

RJ’s Discount Store, 3729 S.W. South Park Ave.

• Coined “The Half Off Store,” merchandise is typically half off suggested retail.

• Merchandise is quality checked.

• Recent bargains listed include furniture, household items, digital bathroom scales, tools and pocket knives.

T&L Retail Sales, 1209 N. Kansas Ave.

• Specializing in furniture and home décor.

• Sofas, sectionals, couches, chairs, dining and bedroom furniture.

That Other Place, 2125 N. Kansas Ave.

• Close-out items including automotive parts, tools, hardware, general household items, office and party supplies, health and beauty, and more.