Daiso brings lots of goods with little prices to Westlake Center

You no longer have to travel to Tokyo or even to Lynnwood to shop at Daiso, a Japan-based emporium of low-priced imported goods. A new location opened Jan. 13 at downtown Seattle's Westlake Center at the Metro level. It's easiest to explain this new downtown addition by the numbers:

1. The company boasts more than 100,000 available items. This store has 30,000 items.

2. At 7,700 square feet, this location is 3,000 square feet larger than its Lynnwood counterpart. Consequently everything here is small (physically). How else could you jam that much merchandise into that much space?

3. Merchandise is priced at $1, $2, $3, $5 and $10, though most items are $1.50.

4. There are more than 2,400 Daisos in Japan and they're growing at the rate of 20-30 a month worldwide.

5. There are five shops in the United States: four in Washington and one in California.

What you'll find: everything from hair rollers to handbags. Tons of tiny ceramics. For the table there are dozens of styles of sushi dishes, rice bowls, soup and noodle bowls, and sake sets. Kitchen gadgets galore. Japanese snack crackers. Cleaning gear. Plastic containers and strainers. Pet and children's toys. Lots of knick knacks and figurines from soldiers to Southern belles. A whole wall of plastic bags to cover everything from video tapes to clothing.

It's a great place to pick up multiples of items to decorate for a party. For example, scoop up little flower pots for a spring baby shower, silk leis for a Hawaiian-themed party, cheap wine glasses, cotton napkins in cute prints or paper lanterns.

Although the Web site and signs in the store tout the quality of the merchandise at every turn, be selective. I can't imagine how good a $1.50 kitchen knife could be. I also saw garden tools for $1.50. The metal was thin and they were surprisingly light. My singular purchase at the Lynnwood shop was a kitchen timer for $1.50. It broke almost immediately and wasn't worth the gas money to drive back and return it. I pitched it.

While shopping at the new Daiso I heard a young girl exclaim, "This is my new favorite store!" A 40-something woman looking at $1.50 hair ties said, "Don't buy those here. They're cheaper at Fred Meyer." It pays to be choosy – you might save $1.50.

The company's plans to multiply are aggressive. Think Starbucks – and lots of 'em, all over, and fast. Soon you'll be able to pick up your latte on any corner and go next door for your sake set.

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