When I moved to Toronto from Ireland in 2024, I kept spotting Dollarama storefronts everywhere. At first, I figured it was just your typical discount store — but stepping inside for the first time completely changed my mind.
In Ireland, we have companies like EuroGiant, Mr. Price, and Dealz, but none of them come close to what Dollarama is in Canada.
For one, those brands aren't as rooted in Irish culture. In Canada, Dollarama holds the same everyday-icon status as Canadian Tire or Tim Hortons. It's more than just a store — it's a staple.
You'll also find far fewer of these stores in Ireland. There are just over 75 EuroGiant stores across Ireland, while Toronto alone has almost 70 Dollarama locations. Sure, Ireland's much smaller, so it's all relative, but it genuinely feels like there's a Dollarama on every other block here.
Between the convenience, affordability and pure ubiquity, Dollarama has quickly earned a spot in my life as a newcomer to Canada.
Here are a few of my first impressions — which Canadian readers may or may not agree with — from my debut visit to this retail legend.
It's like a supermarket
There are a lot of options in the gardening section at Dollarama.
Obviously, I haven't been to every Dollarama in Canada, but my local one in Toronto is massive. With 17 full aisles, it felt more like a supermarket than a discount store. You could easily spend half an hour just browsing.
That kind of size makes sense when you think about it — they can stock everything from snacks to storage bins to birthday cards, all under one roof. It's probably a big part of why the chain's so successful.
It's bright AF in there
I was almost blinded by the lights like The Weeknd in Dollarama.
Stepping into Dollarama kind of feels like someone flipping on the lights while you're still half asleep. Readers from Ireland or the U.K. might relate — it's a bit like walking into a Tesco, but somehow even brighter.
The overhead lighting is harsh, especially after dark, and it can catch you off guard at first. That said, your eyes adjust pretty quickly, and to be fair, it does make it easier to see what you're buying.
The candy is ELITE
Dollarama's own 'Sweet Shoppe' brand is a sweet-lover's dream.
Dollarama's in-house candy brand, Sweet Shoppe, totally caught me off guard. I know it's a big statement, but I think it's even better than Haribo — and way cheaper. Most packs of gummies are just $1, which makes it dangerously easy to grab a few.
It's hard to pick favourites, but the sour worms, peach rings, watermelon slices and gummy suckets are top-tier. I play Gaelic football in Toronto, and before most games, our coaches bring bags of Sweet Shoppe candy for a quick sugar boost. The only issue? I can never stop at just one handful!
They also stock classics like Haribo, plus chocolate favourites like KitKats, Mars bars, Aeros and Crunchies. If you've got a sweet tooth, Dollarama is clearly a gold mine.
The aisles are super claustrophobic
The trolleys in Dollarama can take up a lot of space in the store.
One of the downsides I noticed right away was how cramped it can feel when the store is busy.
The main aisles are narrow enough, but the smaller horizontal aisles — the ones that connect the main rows — are even tighter.
They're often packed with products too, which makes them even harder to navigate, especially when people are stopped and browsing.
Trolleys don't help. You'll be standing there checking out an item, completely unaware that someone's behind you trying to squeeze past with a cart. It's not ideal, but I guess it's the trade-off for having such a huge selection in a relatively compact space.
The snack offering is amazing
Dollarama sell so many well-known potato chip brands.
One thing that genuinely impressed me was the sheer variety of snacks at Dollarama.
The shelves are stacked with familiar favourites like Cheetos, Doritos, Lays, Ruffles, and even Takis — the spicy snack that seems to be everywhere lately. They also carry their own D Gourmet brand of chips, which are surprisingly good. A 250g bag only costs $2.25, which is great value.
It's also a solid spot to stock up if you’re hosting friends. They've got loads of Tostitos salsa dips and party-ready snacks, so you can grab everything for a movie night or hangout in one go.
You're spoiled for choice
If you like arts and crafts, this section would be your dream.Beyond snacks and sweets, Dollarama sells a surprisingly broad range of everyday items.
You'll find everything from cleaning supplies and kitchen utensils to gardening tools, birthday cards, pet products and arts and crafts materials. It's a bit of a one-stop shop, especially if you're looking to grab basics without spending too much.
One of the funnier things I noticed was at the checkout — shelves stacked with loaves of bread. It's not something you'd expect to see in a dollar store, but somehow, it just works.
It really comes in clutch
Dollarama is so handy to get cutlery and other bits for the kitchen.
When I first moved into my Toronto apartment, it was completely unfurnished — and that's when I discovered how useful Dollarama can really be.
I picked up solar-powered lights for my balcony for next to nothing, and inside, I found tons of budget-friendly décor like photo frames and foam wall stickers so I could hang things up without drilling into the walls. A total win for any renter.
I also stocked up on kitchen essentials like utensils, salt and pepper cellars, a sugar pot and even a little tea-bag organizer. It made setting up my space way easier — and way cheaper.
It is sooo cheap
My partner was delighted with this purchase.
I know Dollarama is supposed to be affordable, but the prices still catch me off guard in the best way.
Honestly, you can really ball on a budget in there. It's one of the best spots I've found in Canada for practical essentials that don't break the bank.
As someone new to Canada, discovering Dollarama felt a bit like unlocking a life hack.
Whether I needed a quick snack, home essentials or just a random item I didn't know I needed until I saw it, it has always delivered so far — and for way less than I expected.
It might not be glamorous, but it's convenient, reliable, and surprisingly full of gems!
These prices are confirmed at the time of publishing, but they can change at any time. Taxes and fees may not be included.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.