MADISON (WKOW) -- For many of us life is getting busier. We're often looking for ways to save a little time and keep things simple, especially on groceries. Convenience stores are quick and easy, but are they worth it?
Mom Melissa Woznick says, "I love being a mom. It's wonderful!" Melissa has two "great kids," a full time job and no time to waste. She says, "I have to pick up my kids, run my kids to school, run to work, and then get done with work and pick them up from childcare and run back home."
That's why Kwik Trip in Waunakee is basically her second home.
She says,"I stop in here about three times a week, either in the morning to run and get milk, so I don't forget later or after work I'll get bread."
Melissa is one of many parents using convenience stores as supplemental grocery stores on a daily basis. Another mom, Lashea Jackson, does it too. Lashea says, "Any little accessories that I need I wouldn't go to the Woodman's or something. I'd come here and get it."
Lashea frequently goes to the Walgreens off of Verona Road for one reason -- convenience. She says, "When I get up and I send my son off, if I think I need something I'll just walk right over here and it's just so easy."
But is it worth it when it comes to price? We wanted to know, so we looked at two neighborhoods: Melissa's neighborhood in Waunakee and the Fitchburg neighborhood on McKee Road.
In Fitchburg, we compared the cost of coffee, milk and toilet paper. PDQ, Walgreens and Copps are all next to each other. The cheapest? Copps, by far at $8.69. Then, the Walgreens at $10.47 and finally the PDQ at $11.57.
That doesn't bother Lashea. She says regardless of price, "it's just convenient."
That brings us to our second location, Main Street in Waunakee where Melissa shops. Here we compared milk, toilet paper, and bread at Piggly Wiggly, Walgreens, Mobil and Kwik Trip. Here the Piggly Wiggly wins at $4.77, Kwik Trip follows at $5.53, Mobil costs $7.44 and Walgreens comes in last at $10.37.
So, in both locations the grocery stores are cheaper. So why use the convenience store? Lashea says, "It's easy. I think it's real easy."
Melissa agrees. She says, "If you need something or run out of something it's just down the road."
Another reason convenience stores are rising in popularity is the vast nature of different products they have now, including things like bacon. You can find it in almost any convenience store.
Melissa says, "It helps with the day and makes it a little easier."
Clearly other people agree. As an example, in 1995 there were only 250 Kwik Trip stores in existence. As of today, there are 420 and they service 4 million people a week on various food items.
Still the overall cost difference for convenience stores is anywhere from one dollar to five dollars. So, if you're going to use them be aware of the cost increase especially over time.
Still, if you're in a rush, the cost of convenience is worth it to some. Lashea says, "I don't have a problem with paying a little extra sometimes."
To see a breakdown of the prices, click Fitchburg or Waunakee. We also compared common items in downtown Madison and the Verona Road area.
