Grocery bills in Utah are still giving families a tough time, and for large households, it’s getting harder to make ends meet. Just ask Bambi Cutler — shopping for a family of 12 isn’t easy when food prices keep climbing. Like many others in Salt Lake City, she’s found some relief in a small but mighty local store: Nickey’s Wholesale Food Warehouse.
Grocery Prices Continue to Rise
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, food costs have stayed high through 2025. In just one year, the price of uncooked beef steaks jumped by nearly 18%. That means many Utah families are now paying ₹1,100–₹1,400 per pound for meat — something that can quickly eat up a grocery budget.
For Bambi, buying large cuts of meat at those prices is nearly impossible — unless she’s shopping at Nickey’s. “It’s so hard,” she said, “but Nickey’s helps a lot. It’s one of our first stops whenever we come to Salt Lake.”
How Nickey’s Keeps Prices Low
Paul Stoddard, the owner of Nickey’s Warehouse, understands that his customers are often big families with small budgets. That’s why he focuses on keeping prices lower than traditional supermarkets.
“Beef is where I dig deep,” he shared. “Chuck roast here is just $5.49 a pound — that’s hard to beat in today’s market.” For many, this kind of pricing makes a real difference.
Nearly ten years ago, Stoddard got into a lesser-known part of the food business: the “scratch and dent” segment. These are products with damaged packaging — like dented cans — that retailers won’t accept even though the food is completely fine.
“If one can gets dented, the distributor won’t send it to stores. So I end up with perfectly good food at great prices,” he explained. Because he buys in bulk, he can pass those savings directly to his customers.
A Treasure Trove for Budget Shoppers
Nickey’s isn’t just known for affordable meat — it’s also a hotspot for bargain produce. Cutler happily shared that the store’s prices are unbeatable. “Where you’d get one cucumber at a regular grocery store, here you get four,” she said.
Stoddard calls the store a “dehydrating and freeze-drying paradise,” perfect for people who want to preserve food or prepare in advance.
The store also accepts EBT cards, which is important for many families and older adults in Salt Lake County. In fact, a report by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute found that more than 7,600 seniors in the area depend on government support for their groceries.
More Than Just a Store
For many customers, shopping at Nickey’s is more than just about saving money — it’s about community. “We’re on a first-name basis with most of our customers,” Stoddard said with pride. That friendly atmosphere keeps people coming back.
Nickey’s also posts weekly deals on its Facebook page, with discounts and offers three to four times a week. The store is located at 2655 S. 1030 West in Salt Lake City and continues to be a hidden gem for those trying to stretch every rupee.
