variants
also five-and-dime
as in variety store
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Recent Examples of five-and-ten
The 75-year-old daughter of Sam Walton, the late Walmart founder who turned a five-and-dime store in rural Arkansas into the world’s largest company by revenue, thinks the US is very close to that breaking point.
—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Founded by Frank Winfield Woolworth in New York in 1879, the retail chain sold staple items from pencils to baseballs at low prices, often just a nickel or a dime, a revolutionary concept that helped Woolworth’s expand to 5,500 five-and-dime stores nationwide at its peak.
—Katya Cengel, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2025
Some say it was first made at a five-and-dime shop on the city’s downtown square in the 1950s.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 14 May 2025
The location was formerly home to a dry cleaners in a building that also held a supermarket, a pharmacy and a five-and-dime store.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Feb. 2025
The casualties of the times — a historic farm property, an independent pharmacy, an old-school five-and-dime — got their due in her column.
—Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2025
Some considered Woolworth’s the first national discounter, but Woolworth’s is best classified as a Main Street, five-and-dime store, with counters for sandwiches and chocolate egg cremes.
—David Moin, WWD, 21 Oct. 2024
The retailer started as part of the five-and-dime variety chain that included the retail graveyard nameplates McCrory’s and Woolworth.
—Vicki M. Young, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Founded by Frank Winfield Woolworth in New York in 1879, the retail chain sold staple items from pencils to baseballs at low prices, often just a nickel or a dime, a revolutionary concept that helped Woolworth’s expand to 5,500 five-and-dime stores nationwide at its peak.
—Katya Cengel, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2025
Some say it was first made at a five-and-dime shop on the city’s downtown square in the 1950s.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 14 May 2025
The location was formerly home to a dry cleaners in a building that also held a supermarket, a pharmacy and a five-and-dime store.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Feb. 2025
The casualties of the times — a historic farm property, an independent pharmacy, an old-school five-and-dime — got their due in her column.
—Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2025
Some considered Woolworth’s the first national discounter, but Woolworth’s is best classified as a Main Street, five-and-dime store, with counters for sandwiches and chocolate egg cremes.
—David Moin, WWD, 21 Oct. 2024
The retailer started as part of the five-and-dime variety chain that included the retail graveyard nameplates McCrory’s and Woolworth.
—Vicki M. Young, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for five-and-ten
Noun
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For those that live in the neighborhood, offerings at the Metropolitan Bar and Kitchen’s variety store are convenient for those looking to stop in for pizza and beer, wine and other items.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
23 Sep. 2025
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Discount stores remain the most popular type of retailer for 62 percent of back-to-school shoppers, followed by Amazon, 56 percent, and dollar and variety stores, 42 percent.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
23 July 2025
Noun
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Guests staying at Villa Beatrice get 24/7 access to a butler, who can arrange private dinners, shopping experiences at designer boutiques (Louis Vuitton and Pucci among them), lounge chairs and umbrellas at Bagni Fiore, and much more.—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Robb Report,
23 Oct. 2025
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The new boutique — at 3333 Bristol Street, suite 1862 — joins locations in New York, Palm Beach and Las Vegas.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In exchange, the United States lowered some of its tariffs.—
Mira Rapp-Hooper,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
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In the third quarter, revenue decreased by 4 percent at constant exchange also due to slow tourism.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The food mart scored 12 on the June 17 follow-up inspection.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 June 2025
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Maryland Lottery officials are also giving a $500 bonus to the Baltimore food mart that sold him the winning ticket.—
Jillian Frankel,
People.com,
9 June 2025
Noun
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The road behind the chain store will be blocked off to include a vinyl pop-up record store, photo booth, friendship bracelets, glitter sprinkles on Starbucks cold foam drinks and more.—
Bryan West,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Oct. 2025
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The key challenge is balancing chain stores, trendy dining, and useful shops to suit a mix of locals and visitors — something the street has struggled with through its many ups and downs.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Soon afterward, cheap paperback classics could be found everywhere from newsstands to dime stores.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Salem, circa 1955: Before the opening of Walmart, many small-town main streets were home to a Ben Franklin dime store, one of which was under the franchise that gave Sam Walton his start in Newport, 1945.—
Ray Hanley,
arkansasonline.com,
4 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Beyond its handsome red brick Victorian facades, Bisbee’s charms are myriad: friendly locals; a mild, four-season climate; thrift shops; hip galleries; chill coffeehouses; great eateries and art everywhere.—
Suzanne Wright,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
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Take the quiz here … SECONDHAND SECRETS – Bargain hunter spots potential medieval treasures at thrift shop for $30.—
,
FOXNews.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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While little has changed externally, the stately 19th-century building, which was a former hotel and department store, has undergone a radical redesign within.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
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Established in 2012, the Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize is spearheaded by the Wessel & Vett Foundation, created by the descendants of department store Magasin du Nord’s 19th-century founders Emil Vett and Theodor Wessel.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Five-and-ten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/five-and-ten. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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