Rebuilding Brooklyn
News12 New York
Where to Watch
Download the App
Local
Crime
Weather
Taking Action
beWell
The East End
Crime Files

Brooklyn residents head to Bobby’s department store for back-to-school supplies

Employees say deals on uniforms and school supplies have been a staple at Bobby’s since it opened in Brooklyn in 1976.

Morgan Scott

Aug 20, 2025, 6:35 PM

Updated

Share:

More Stories

Back-to-school season is here, which means it's also time to stock up on school supplies.

News 12 spoke with parents at Bobby’s Department Store who were out buying their students’ items.

Employees say deals on uniforms and school supplies have been a staple at Bobby’s since it opened in Brooklyn in 1976.

"We almost make no money on it,” said Aire Drob, a manager at the Bobby’s Flatbush location. “It's just to serve the community around here."

Whether you're shopping for a first grader or even an eighth grader, Drob says there's something on every school supply list.

"I came here just to buy pens,” said shopper Besheka. “You can never come and pick up one [item].”
Prices on most items at the department store range from less than a dollar to about $5.

"I started the process a little while ago,” said Diana Duncan-Ramsden. “But I came to Bobby's because a friend of mine said that some of the notebooks and pencils are a little bit cheaper than Staples and Target. Every penny counts in this economy."

“I mean, everybody shops at Bobby's,” said Besheka. “But the price, especially on back-to-school supplies like pens and stuff, it's really on point. Right where I want them."

Whether it's shopping well ahead of the season, or even after the rush, reusing or recycling items your kids may not have used last year, or making online purchases --- there's a bit of strategy to back-to-school shopping that everyone can use.

"Definitely bargain shop,” said Duncan-Ramsden. “Compare like three to four different stores. I average it out before I make my decision. That's just how I think.

"Buy in bulk,” said Bekesha. If you have and you can save money to buy for a year, you would see the savings."

More Stories

More From News12

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices