5 Below is Back: Bigger and Better

More beauty products, a beverage case, a new party supplies section, more candy, plenty of toys, and of course, everything relating to the Easter bunny is on display at the newly-expanded store in Park Plaza.

Closed since mid-February, the last holiday shopping spree for customers was Valentine's Day before the bargain store closed on Feb. 14. Since then, for locals, it has been a long wait that confirmed the old adage "absence makes the heart grow fonder." Many regulars who were spoiled by the convenience of stopping for a 5 Below gift card—always a favorite birthday present—or balls and bats, art and school supplies, wrapping paper or electronic accessories had to find alternate sources, usually not as closeby to satisfy the shopping list.

"It's nice to have it open again. We always come here for pool toys," said Marsha Hurst while at the check-out counter with her son Jonathan, 2, who was happy with their purchases of a slinky, race cars and crayons.

The grand re-opening over the weekend brought in plenty of happy customers, said Michelle Grim, one of the store managers. The more spacious store in the same location at 558 Ritchie Highway is now at least double its previous size with about 7,700 square feet of area now filled with new merchandise.

"It [the grand re-opening] was something else, it was like Christmas in here," Grim said.

Pool items will be in after Easter, but there are stylish-looking boogie boards already lining one of the walls and by next month, it will be a mecca for all things related to having fun and entertaining this summer—priced right at $5 and below.

Lynn Reale of Severna Park stopped-in for a rubber reptile for her son and picked-up some candy treats too."My kids love this store," said Reale.

Store hours are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.