EXHIBIT 99.1


                       DAIRY MART CONVENIENCE STORES, INC.
                           300 EXECUTIVE PARKWAY WEST
                               HUDSON, OHIO 44236

                                  MAY 24, 2002


Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W. Judiciary Plaza
Washington, DC 20549

         RE: CONFIRMATION OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN REPRESENTATIONS

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This letter confirms that Dairy Mart Convenience Stores, Inc. has received from
Arthur Andersen LLP, the independent public accountant engaged by the company to
examine the company's financial statements that are included in the Form 10-K to
which this letter is filed as an exhibit, a representation letter addressed to
the company and stating that:

-    The audit of our consolidated financial statements as of February 2, 2002,
     conducted by Arthur Andersen was subject to Arthur Andersen's quality
     control system for the U.S. accounting and auditing practice to provide
     reasonable assurance that the engagement was conducted in compliance with
     professional standards; and

-    There was appropriate continuity of Arthur Andersen personnel working on
     the audits and availability of national office consultation. The
     availability of personnel at foreign affiliates of Arthur Andersen was not
     relevant to our audit, and, thus, we received no assurance from Arthur
     Andersen regarding such availability.



Sincerely,

/s/ GREGG R. BUDOI

Gregg R. Budoi
Chief Financial Officer
Dairy Mart Convenience Stores, Inc.