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 Grocery Deals?

Check out our Grocery Specials section on Melrose Patch.

Readers' Choice: Vote for the Best Thrift/Consignment Store

Patch readers nominated the best thrift or consignment store in Melrose, so vote to determine which one is the Readers’ Choice 2012 winner.

Where is the best thrift or consignment store in Melrose? Cast your vote to let us know. Patch is relaunching its Readers’ Choice program and we’re asking you, your friends, family, neighbors, coworkers and anyone else who knows about the area to participate. Nominations were accepted on Melrose Patch through July 9 and include: Winners in all Readers' Choice categories will be announced on Aug. 24. Sign up for the Melrose Patch newsletter to get community information and updates on the Readers' Choice contest. The poll will open to accept votes from registered Patch users starting on July 23 and close at 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 17.

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Readers' Choice Best Grocery Store: Foodmaster Supermarkets

The store received the most votes in this week's poll.

For this week's Patch Readers' Choice contest, we turned to you to discover the best grocery or convenience store in Melrose. Between Monday and Friday, 52 people voted for their favorite place to buy food.  And the winner is...Foodmaster Supermarkets- also known as Johnnie's. The grocery store received the most votes of the seven candidates. The store has a bakery and deli and also posts weekly specials online. It also provides catering and delivery and can fulfill Web orders.  Next week, we'll poll you on the best place to celebrate a graduation in the city. Voting starts Monday morning and goes through Friday at 9 a.m. 

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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 ›