Take his description of the odd, tantalizing atmosphere of a discount drugstore, where they sell "important and secretive" products:

Both sexes will, at day's end, be buckling under the weight of the shampoos, rinses, razors and acne preparations bought at their local discount drugstore.

The deal allows Polaroid to continue to emphasize distribution through big retail chains and discount drugstores, where it sells most of its cameras.

Another soon-to-be-public company is Drug Emporium Inc., based in Worthington, Ohio, one of the nation's largest operators and franchisers of discount drugstores.

A restaurant, a fast-food outlet, a discount drugstore and a pizza parlor occupy sites on the Broadway side of the building.

Mr. Billingsley said he had been approached by discount drugstores and "gourmet" delis but turned them away.

With business partner David Shapira, Monus launched a "deep discount" drugstore, whose strategy of aggressive buying provided customers with tremendous savings, if fewer selections.

"Do you really think a discount drugstore could find or afford 8,000 square feet of street-level space there?"

I went to the local giantic discount drugstore to buy more super-strength aspirin.

"Now the hardware store is a big discount drugstore," he complained.