The $2 Shop has been a Kiwi institution of sorts for 24 years.
But now the first store - a New Plymouth business that forged the path for nearly 50 other The $2 Shop franchises, along with plenty of knock-off stores - is shutting for good.
Owner Sandra Ashley told TVNZ1's Seven Sharp it's time to go because of "competition, plus the lease is coming up".
The store, which changed its name to 2n'5 about a decade ago along with the other remaining franchises, is expected to sell off its remaining stock at half price through October.
Ms Ashley reminisced about the chain's heyday, when she would frequently travel to China with late chain founder Brian Salmon, a Taranaki resident who refused to set up headquarters in Auckland even after The $2 Shop stores started popping up throughout New Zealand.
Ms Ashley bought the original store after Mr Salmon died in 2011.
Plenty of loyal customers will miss their visits to the shop.
"I got dolls and toys, stuff to dress up my wood art," one customer said.
Another customer said: "It's been here a long time, part of New Plymouth for a while."
Further north, Harish Naran manages the More for Less shop in Auckland's Westfield Manukau.
He's been in the dollar game for 13 years and says it's getting tougher.
"Over the years there's been cost pressure, so the two dollar ceiling had to go. You just cannot survive on two dollars."
Mr Naran says a store visit is an opportunity for more than just a treat.
"Over the years there's an increase in parents in to shops teaching kids how to shop, how to handle money, above all manners, please and thank you."
And he too has learned plenty about another virtue, patience.
"They come with packs of coins they've saved over months, plonk on counter, and say 'mister here it is!'"
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