You're standing in a parking lot looking for a deal. It's frustrating. You probably remember the old days when Pic 'N' Save was everywhere, that yellow and red sign promised closeout treasures for pennies on the dollar. But if you’re searching for pic n save hours today, you’ve likely realized things aren't as straightforward as they used to be back in the 90s. The brand has been through a corporate meat grinder.
Most people don't realize that the original Pic 'N' Save basically vanished after being swallowed by Big Lots. However, the name didn't stay dead. It was resurrected, but in a way that makes finding a consistent opening time a total headache.
The Confusion Behind Pic N Save Hours
Why is it so hard to get a straight answer? Honestly, it’s because "Pic 'N' Save" currently exists in two very different worlds. You have the Pic 'N' Save Bargains outlets, largely centered in Southern California, and then you have the legacy brand history that still clutters up search results.
If you're looking for the current retail locations, specifically the ones revived by Mark Miller (who, interestingly enough, was the son of the original founder Bill Miller), the hours aren't universal. Most of these shops operate on a standard retail cycle, typically opening around 9:00 AM and closing by 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM. But here’s the kicker: they are outlets. Outlets live by their own rules.
Sunday hours are almost always shorter. You’ll usually see doors opening a bit later, maybe 10:00 AM, and clicking shut by 7:00 PM. It’s a bit old-school. It feels like 1985 in there, which is part of the charm, but it means you can't just assume they'll be open at 10:00 PM like a 24-hour CVS.
Location Specifics Matter
Take the Anaheim or Whittier locations. They don't always sync up. One might decide to close early for a floor reset because a massive shipment of closeout patio furniture just arrived and they need the space. This is the "treasure hunt" model of retail.
When a store relies on liquidated inventory, the labor needs change. If they get three trucks in on a Tuesday, don't be shocked if the staff is too buried in boxes to answer the phone.
I've seen people show up at 8:45 AM hoping to beat the crowd, only to find the staff still drinking coffee behind a locked gate. Then, on a random Thursday, they might stay open an extra thirty minutes because the line is deep. It’s localized. It’s human. It's definitely not the corporate rigidity of a Walmart or Target.
Why You Can't Trust Google Maps 100%
We've all been burned by "Hours may differ" warnings. For a business like Pic 'N' Save Bargains, those warnings are actually worth heeding.
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Corporate-owned giants have API links that update their hours instantly during holidays. Independent or small-chain outlets? Not so much. If it’s Memorial Day or the Fourth of July, the pic n save hours you see on your phone might be a total lie.
- Call the store. It sounds prehistoric. Do it anyway.
- Check their Facebook page. Small retail outlets often post "Closing early today!" updates on social media rather than updating their official website or Google profile.
- Look for the "Bargains" suffix. If you see a listing just for "Pic 'N' Save" without "Bargains" or a specific city, it might be an old, ghost listing for a store that closed a decade ago.
The Big Lots Factor
Let's clear something up. If you are in a state like Ohio or Florida and you see a building that looks like an old Pic 'N' Save, it's probably a Big Lots now. Big Lots bought the brand in the early 2000s and eventually phased out the name.
If you’re looking for hours for those locations, you’re actually looking for Big Lots hours. They usually run 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
But the "real" fans—the ones who want the authentic, messy, disorganized-in-a-good-way experience—are looking for the California revival stores. Those stores represent a specific era of American commerce that prioritized overstock and liquidations over "curated experiences."
Seasonal Shifts and Holiday Schedules
Retail is seasonal, obviously. But for a liquidator, "seasonal" means something different. Their hours might expand during the "Back to School" rush or the December holiday gauntlet.
During December, it's common to see pic n save hours stretch until 10:00 PM to accommodate the frantic search for cheap toys and wrapping paper. Conversely, on New Year’s Day, don't expect them to be open early. They’ll likely sleep in, opening at noon or staying closed entirely to deal with the post-holiday wreckage.
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- Standard Weekdays: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturdays: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Highest foot traffic)
- Sundays: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM
- Major Holidays: Closed (Thanksgiving, Christmas)
The "Bargain" Reality
The thing about these stores is that they aren't just selling soap and socks. They sell whatever fell off the proverbial truck of global commerce. If a major retailer goes bust, Pic 'N' Save gets the goods.
This means the "hours" of the store are only half the battle. The other half is the "hours of the inventory." If you show up at 7:00 PM, the best stuff from the morning shipment is gone. Experienced shoppers know that the first hour of operation is the only hour that matters. If you arrive at 8:00 PM, an hour before closing, you're just looking at the picked-over remains.
Dealing with the Discrepancy
If you’re driving more than twenty minutes, just verify. Seriously. The revived Pic 'N' Save brand is smaller and more nimble, but that also means they don't have a 24/7 IT department managing their digital footprint.
The website (picnsave.com) usually has a store locator, but even that can lag behind reality. If a lease expires and a store moves, the "hours" listed might be for a vacant building.
It’s also worth noting the "Store within a Store" concept. Some locations might share space or be adjacent to other discounters. In those cases, the pic n save hours might be dictated by the landlord of the shopping center rather than the store manager. If the mall closes at 8:00 PM, Pic 'N' Save closes at 8:00 PM, regardless of what their corporate sign says.
Is It Worth the Trip?
People ask this all the time. Is it worth checking the schedule and driving out there? If you like the thrill of finding a $20 item for $4, yes. But you have to go in with the right mindset. You aren't going there for the customer service. You’re going there to raid the bins.
The employees are usually busy. They’re stocking, they’re checking, they’re moving pallets. If you call to ask about hours, keep it brief. "Are you open until nine tonight?" is all you need.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Visit
Don't just wing it. If you want to make the most of your trip and ensure you aren't pulling on a locked door, follow this protocol.
First, identify the exact location. Are you going to the one in Montebello? Anaheim? Azusa? Write down the phone number.
Second, aim for a Tuesday or Wednesday morning. This is historically when new shipments have been processed from the weekend but the weekend crowds haven't descended yet. The pic n save hours might say they open at 9:00 AM, but the "good" shopping starts at 9:15 AM once the registers are booted up and the staff has finished their morning huddle.
Third, bring your own bags. It’s a discount environment. Being prepared saves you time at the register, which is crucial if you’re shopping near closing time when staff are eager to go home.
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Finally, check the "Last Call" section if you arrive within the final hour of operation. While the main aisles might be a mess, the clearance endcaps are often where the final markdowns happen right before the store closes for the night.
Retail is changing. The giant, predictable big-box store is losing ground to these nimble, chaotic treasure-hunt outlets. Understanding that their schedule is as much about the "deal" as it is about the "clock" will save you a lot of frustration. Verify locally, shop early, and don't expect the internet to always have the latest scoop on a business that thrives on the unexpected.
Check the physical door of your local branch next time you're there. They often tape "Special Holiday Hours" flyers to the glass weeks in advance, and that's the only place that information actually exists. Grab a photo of it with your phone. Now you're the expert.