Business Highlight

Discount Place Convenience Store
The “Wal-Mart” of Ward 8

You’d never know it standing outside of the Discount Place Convenience Store at 1337 Good Hope Rd. S.E., but this place has everything. Walk inside and you will be amazed at all the things you’ll see that you thought you couldn’t find in Ward 8.
From shower curtains, to baking dishes, to extension cords Discount Place is like a mini-Wal-Mart—including having the convenience of on site parking. There are baby shower gifts, laundry detergent, school supplies, home décor items, and socks—all at discount prices.
On one visit, two shoppers commented about planning to come in for one thing and walking out having purchased several items. Sounds like a line straight out of a Wal-Mart store.
He may not be Sam Walton, but Discount Place Owner Mohamed Bakkali takes great pride in creating that same hometown feeling that the mutli-billion chain is famous for. He speaks to every one who comes in and often jokes with his frequent neighborhood customers. That is one major asset of having a business in Anacostia, Bakkali says, most of the people are friendly and enjoy a humorous exchange.
A retailer for most of his life, he opened his Anacostia store 8 years ago in what formerly was a fast food restaurant on Good Hope Road. Centrally located between the Anacostia and Fairlawn neighborhoods, Bakkali saw the location as ideal for a one-stop discount retail store. In addition to the Anacostia store, Bakkali operates a similar outlet in Maryland. He also has operated a similar store in New York.
Originally from Morocco, Bakkali enjoys bringing needed goods to the Anacostia business corridors. Local customers enjoy the convenience of shopping in the neighborhood, particularly as the holidays approach and various suburban shopping venues become filled with stressed out crowds and parking challenges.
Those preparing holiday meals can get just about everything needed for the table setting at Discount Place. The store has tableware, serving dishes, and centerpiece vases. There also are various gift items in the store, many of which are eligible tax-free items during the city’s next sales tax holidays.

Business Name: Dollar Discount Convenience Store
Owner(s): Mohamed Bakkali
Address: 1337 Good Hope Rd. S.E.
Telephone: (202)889-5300
Hours of Operation: Mon. – Sat.. 9 am – 8 pm
Sun. – 10 am to 6 pm