By Colin McEwen

Record-Courier staff writer

Bob Slone does not want customers to have a bad first impression when they notice the granola bars on the shelf are past the "best-before" date on the packaging.

The first thing he wants patrons to see when they walk into B & T Discount Grocery Outlet at 3002 S.R. 59 in Ravenna Township, is prices lower than even the Wal-Mart just down the street.

Slone sells "salvaged" food -- food the major grocery stores won't sell for various reasons, but is still completely edible.

For example, Slone said if a shipment of pancake mix falls and several of the boxes are damaged, they cannot be sold -- even the ones in the shipment that are in no way damaged.

B & T Discount Grocery Outlet opened in February. Slone has owned the adjacent Bargains & Treasures for five years and said his new venture provides him the opportunity to directly help the community.

"The economy is in dire straits," said Slone, who also is a registered nurse at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. "I went from paying $38 to filling up my gas tank to $168 in five years. Things aren't becoming less expensive."

B & T currently does not sell perishable items such as milk or eggs, but the store has items that may have outlived the suggested expiration date.

"We don't try to hide anything," said Slone, pointing to a display near the entrance highlighting the type of products sold.

Slone said sometimes products are replaced in stores just because a product might have new packaging. He offers those and other brand-name items for reduced prices. As a way to stand behind the products sold, B & T offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

"We don't want to sell stuff if it's bad," Slone said, adding that the government does not bother to regulate the longevity of non-perishable goods. "We price things for how much salvageable goods should be sold for. We think about how cheap things can be so people can afford them."

In addition to food, B & T offers a variety of products, including household cleaning products, hair care, pet food and toiletries. Slone inspects all products to make sure they are not leaking or defective.

"The cans might not look pretty, but the product is still good," Slone said. "We don't want someone to get something they don't like."

He said the inventory is constantly changing and the store rarely carries the same products. He thinks the new store will be well-received by the community.

"I don't want to compare or pick on the other stores, but if people shop here, they'll save at least 50 percent on their bill," he said. "That's more money for gas."