Since You Asked: Why do items at 99-cents store cost $1?

Q: Why do items at the 99 Cents Only store in Yuba City actually cost $1?

A: Store officials say it's because of "the economy."

"Inflation and the economy have affected just about all the stores." store manager Sarah Ford explained.

The store isn't trying to hide the fact, either.

Signs at the front of the store and at each register clearly explain the store's mark-up policy.

Ford said the store rounds up all prices to the nearest 10th of a cent.

The dollar store has not been hit quite as hard as many other retail businesses and has been able to avoid layoffs and major price changes, but still has not been immune to the country's slumping financial situation.

"But it's been a struggle," Ford said.

The store has heard the complaint before and will likely hear it again in the future.

"We do hear that question all the time," said the manager.

Q: I was curious about the Gasmax gasoline station on Sutter Street in Yuba City. It has been closed since late last year. There was some construction going on earlier this year around the building, but the pumps have since been taped off. Do they plan to re-open soon?

A: There does not appear to be any plan to reopen the Sutter Street Gasmax.

If there is a plan, it would have to be a long-term plan as there is nothing in the works with the city.

Efforts to reach officials at Gasmax LLC were not successful.

Tammie Rikard, Yuba City's community development technician, said Gasmax officials have not had any discussions with the city since the gas station closed in January.

"They were unable to complete their upgrades, and we've had no applications since," Rikard said.

Construction was abandoned over the winter, Rikard said, when the company said it could not complete the installation of new pumping equipment, which is a requirement of new state environmental standards.

The company's Yuba City business permit expired in December and has not been renewed, Rikard said.

"If there is a plan, they haven't come back to us yet to say what it is," she said.

Since You Asked is published on Mondays. Send questions to reporter Rob Parsons at the Appeal-Democrat, 1530 Ellis Lake Drive, Marysville, CA 95901, email him at rparsons@appealdemocrat.com or call 749-4785.