Individual Food Price Tags No Longer Required in Mass.

The law that goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2013 allows store owners to place scanners in the aisles, making shoppers do their own price checks, instead of individually marking each item.

Starting on New Year's Day 2013, Massachuetts is the last state in the union to abolish a law requiring individual price tags on all food items. Instead of having the prices marked on every item, as has been the law since 1987, grocery stores can now install aisle price scanners every 5,000 square feet that would display the prices of scanned items. Gov. Deval Patrick signed the bill into law in July after earlier passing in the House and Senate—with only two senators in session. The bill, called "An Act relative to clear and conspicuous price disclosure," has been strongly supported for years by the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, who argued that the current system creates less accurate pricing, lowers the level of service for …

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Looking For Deals on Groceries?

Check out our Grocery Specials section for local deals.

Are You Buying a Big-Ticket Item This Tax-Free Weekend?

Hey big spender. Do you have plans for throwing down wads of cash this weekend? Or are you giving your wallet a break?

Break out the credit card, Stonehamites: On Tuesday, Gov. Deval Patrick signed a bill that designates Aug. 11 and 12 as a sales tax holiday, meaning you won't have to pay the state's 6.25 percent sales tax. Of course, there are some conditions. The tax holiday doesn't include meals, tobacco or single items that cost $2500 or more. (So much for my big plan to buy a Bugatti Veyron made of charcuterie and Camel Lights.) The tax holiday is intended to send hordes of shoppers to stores, where they'll purchase lots of things and help boost revenues for local businesses. Some consumers wait for the tax holiday to buy big-ticket items they've been planning to get anyway. If you buy something that costs $2500, you'll save $156.25. So, are you …

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Readers' Choice: Nominate Your Favorite Thrift/Consignment Store

Nominate your best of Stoneham thrift or consignment store in the comments; they may be voted a Readers' Choice later this summer.

If it's near and dear to your heart, Patch wants to know—tell us about Stoneham's best thrift store or consignment store. Nominate your favorite place in the comments below. Once you do, Patch will officially add them to the running for best of the best—and later this summer, they may beat out the competition to become the number one Readers' Choice. We will take nominations through July 9; voting begins July 23.

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Last-Minute Shopping Deals From Patch Readers

This week's winner won a $25 gift certificate to Harrington's in Wakefield.

We asked for shopping tips and you delivered. Jeanne E. Craigie won this week's prize: a $25 gift certificate to Harrington's in Wakefield. Here are some of the great tips we got this week: 1) Old Navy is offering $10 off for every $20 you spend, according to Athena. Old Navy is also running several year-end web-only sales, too. 2) Dress Barn in Stoneham has 60 percent off all items, according to this week's contest winner Jeanne E. Craigie. 3) The Avon Beauty Center is having $2 and $3 sales along with 20-25 percent off sales. Also, when you spend $100 you receive $10 off your next purchase, this promo is ending on Dec. 31 but will restart from Jan. 1 to the end of March, according to Diana Ardagna Cavanaugh.

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Win $25 Gift Certificate in Our Shopping Tip Contest

Just let us know about a good deal in town in the comment section below and maybe you'll be this week's winner.

Each week until the end of the year, Patch is running a shopping tip contest. All you need to do is offer a shopping tip in the comment section below and we’ll pick a winner at random each week. Shopping tips can include sales or deals on anything: from supermarket bargains to sales on holiday gift items. And although we hope to find out about sales at local small businesses, large chain store deals are fine too. Each week, we’ll announce a new winner, as well as list all of the great deals that were submitted to help you with your shopping. For this week’s contest, all entries must be received by noon on Thursday, Dec. 29 (Eastern Time). This week’s prize: A $25 gift certificate to Harrington's restaurant in Wakefield.  Please note: This …

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Jeanne E. Craigie

10:30 pm on Saturday, January 7, 2012

Thank you very much picked up my gift card from Harrington's nice treat--many thanks!--Jeanne   more ›

Last-Minute Shopping Deals From Patch Readers

This week's winner won a $25 gift certificate to Turner's Seafood Grill & Market in Melrose.

We asked for shopping tips and you delivered. Jan Merlino won this week's prize: a $25 gift certificate to Turner's Seafood Grill & Market.  Be sure to enter again next Monday for a chance to win another $25 gift certificate. Here are some of the great tips we got this week: 1.) Rapid Liquors, Main St. in Stoneham. They carry the loveliest handmade gift baskets and are reasonably priced. They don't need to be wrapped, writes Jan Merlino. 2.) Boston Swing Central, 24 Roland St. in Charlestown. This place is selling gift certificates on its website, $15 for a swing dance lesson and three hours of dancing to a live band. Cheaper than a movie and popcorn, and three times as long if your dancing feet hold out, writes Julie. 3.) Lowes, on …

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Win $25 Gift Certificate In Our Shopping Tip Contest

Just let us know about a good deal in town in the comment section below and maybe you'll be this week's winner.

Each week until the end of the year, Patch is running a shopping tip contest. All you need to do is offer a shopping tip in the comment section below and we’ll pick a winner at random each week. Shopping tips can include sales or deals on anything: from supermarket bargains to sales on holiday gift items. And although we hope to find out about sales at local small businesses, large chain store deals are fine too. Each week, we’ll announce a new winner, as well as list all of the great deals that were submitted to help you with your shopping. For this week’s contest, all entries must be received by noon on Thursday, Dec. 15 (Eastern Time). This week’s prize: A $25 gift certificate to Turner's Seafood Grill and Market in Melrose.  Please …

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Mark Micheli

12:27 pm on Thursday, December 22, 2011

That's it for this week's contest. No more entries will be taken. We'll announce a winner tomorrow. Thanks for sharing your shopping tips with others!   more ›

Before You Shop, Check Out These Deals

Steve Meuse won a $25 gift certificate to the Fat Cactus Restaurant in Lynnfield in our shopping tip contest this week.

We asked for shopping tips and you delivered. Steve Meuse wins this week's prize: a $25 gift certificate to the Fat Cactus restaurant in Lynnfield. Be sure to enter again next Monday for a chance to win another $25 gift certificate. Here are some of the great tips we got this week: SPECIFIC STORE DEALS: 1.) North River Outfitter on Charles Street on Beacon Hill is offering a special deal for the 12 days of Christmas. Example: Last Tuesday you got a free pair of freshwater pearl earrings with the purchase of a women's sweater. --Anna 2.) Brother's Roast Beef in Malden: 2 large cheese pizzas, 1 order of wings and a 2 liter soda for $19.99. -- Kim 3.) Beanstalk Toys in Melrose has great customer service, wrote Maura Donahue. She also …

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15 Shopping Deals And Bargains This Week

Craig Foster won a $25 gift certificate to Grumpy Doyle's in our shopping tip contest this week.

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