Frugal Family

In some parts of the country, St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, is revered as a national holiday. Some cities dye rivers green for the occasion. Akron will jump the gun a bit this year with a St. Patrick’s Day parade at noon on Saturday, March 12, on South Main Street. It’s free. March 17 is a little more low-key elsewhere. Of course finding good deals isn't restricted to St. Patrick's day. Here are a few bargains: 

• Barnes & Noble, 4015 Medina Rd., Fairlawn, 330-665-5199. Barnes & Noble has a St. Patrick’s Day Story Hour for the younger set at 10 a.m. March 17. The event is free, although you can be sure the bookseller hopes you’ll spring for a coffee or a few books while you’re there. 

• Steak ’n Shake, 4000 Medina Rd., Fairlawn, 330-670-9593. Four meals for under $4 certainly will fit the frugal criteria. You can take the kids out for dinner and not feel like you broke the bank. Steak ’n Shake is likely to satisfy even your most-ravenous teenager’s appetite. For a while, anyway. A shake could be a meal in itself. There are other locations nearby, including one on Home Avenue just across the Akron city line from Cuyahoga Falls.

• AMF Riviera Lanes, 20 S. Miller Rd., Fairlawn, 330-836-7985. If you haven’t been bowling in a while, say 20 for years, the lanes might look a little different. The clouds of cigarette smoke are gone, of course. The bone-rattling sound of balls and pins colliding hasn’t changed much, but the scoring is all automated now. No more puzzling over whether to carry the spare from the previous frame and all that jazz. Just stumble up and roll the ball. A group of up to six can get two hours of bowling, shoes, pizza and a pitcher of pop for $68.30. At first blush it might sound like a lot, but it’s cheaper than going to the movies and you get a little exercise too. If you get hooked on the game, there are clubs and leagues for all ages. Bowling is growing in popularity as a high school sport.

• Schwebel’s Bakery Outlet, 3670 State Rd. and 344 Tallmadge Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 330-926-9410 and 330-920-9610. The Schwebel’s bakery at Broad Boulevard near Route 8 still pumps out that enticing bread aroma. In addition to Schwebel’s and other brands of bread products, the outlet stores have chips, ice cream and other foods and snacks. After all, a Frugal Family does not live on bread alone. A loaf of bread can be had for $1.49 or less and a bag of six bagels for 99 cents. There are products as fresh as at your favorite supermarket and a few discontinued items. Some of these are close to expiration, so go ahead and enjoy them now. 

• Village Discount, 2930 State Rd., 330-724-6995. Village Discount, with six Ohio locations, sells clothing for men, women, infants and toddlers, as well as footwear and some home furnishings. Designer clothes at thrift prices. For some bargain hunters, the thrill of the hunt is half the fun. Open Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Think you’ve found the great deal of the week? Let us in on your secret. Send your email to fairlawnpatchdeal@gmail.com.