1




                                  EXHIBIT 24(a)
                                  -------------

                    Consent of Independent Public Accountants

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our reports dated April
21, 2000 included in Dairy Mart Convenience Stores, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended January 29, 2000 and to all references to our Firm
included in this Registration Statement.

Arthur Andersen LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
December 22, 2000