variety store

noun

1. a retail store, as a five-and-ten, carrying a large variety of goods, especially low-priced articles.

Word History and Origins

Origin of variety store¹

An Americanism dating back to 1760–70

Idioms and Phrases

A retail shop that carries a large selection of usually inexpensive merchandise, as in What this town needs is a good variety store . [Second half of 1700s]

Example Sentences

We carry the biggest line of Variety Store Leaders in the country, and our goods are always of the best.

From Project Gutenberg

His store was next door to the then popular Bonafanti, who kept the largest and best patronized variety store of the day.

From Project Gutenberg

Wibird Penhallow's heaviest patron was the keeper of a variety store, and the first specimen of a pessimist I ever encountered.

From Project Gutenberg

The War Department by watchmen, the law by constables, the merchants by a variety store, etc.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Brazer's establishment, which was known as a "variety store," came in for the best part of this trade.

From Project Gutenberg