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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549

                                   FORM 12b-25

                           NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING

       (Check One) [ ] Form 10-K [ ] Form 20-F [ ] Form 11-K [X] Form 10-Q

                  [ ]  Form N-SAR
                       For Period Ended: August 4, 2001

                  [ ]  Transition Report on Form 10-K
                  [ ]  Transition Report on Form 20-F
                  [ ]  Transition Report on Form 11-K
                  [ ]  Transition Report on Form 10-Q
                  [ ]  Transition Report on Form N-SAR
                         For the Transition Period Ended: ______________________

Read Attached Instruction Sheet Before Preparing Form.  Please Print or Type.

Nothing in this form shall be construed to imply that the Commission has
verified any information contained herein.

         If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above,
identify the Item(s) to which the notification relates: Entire 10-Q


                                     PART 1
                             REGISTRANT INFORMATION

Full Name of Registrant: Dairy Mart Convenience Stores, Inc.

Former Name if Applicable: N/A

Address of Principal Executive Office (Street and Number):
One Dairy Mart Way, 200 Executive Parkway West

City, State and Zip Code: Hudson, Ohio 44236
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                                     PART II
                             RULES 12B-25(b) AND (c)

If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense
and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following should
be completed. (Check box if appropriate)

[ ]      (a)      The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this
                  form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or
                  expense;

[X]      (b)      The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition
                  report on Form 10-K, Form 20-F, 11-K, Form N-SAR, or portion
                  thereof, will be filed on or before the fifteenth calendar day
                  following the prescribed due date; or the subject quarterly
                  report or transition report on Form 10-Q, or portion thereof
                  will be filed on or before the fifth calendar day following
                  the prescribed due date; and

[ ]      (c)      The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule
                  12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.


                                    PART III
                                    NARRATIVE

State below in reasonable detail the reasons why the Form 10-K, 11-K, 20-F,
10-Q, N-SAR, or the transition report or portion thereof could not be filed
within the prescribed period. (Attach extra sheets if needed.)

The Registrant was unable to timely file its annual report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended August 4, 2001 ("10-Q") because, just prior to filing the
quarterly report, it was determined that the financial statements and the
discussion of the Registrant's "Liquidity and Capital Resources" contained in
the quarterly report needed to be significantly revised, changed and
supplemented to avoid the information contained in the quarterly report from
being materially misleading. These changes could not be made in time to file the
10-Q on September 18, 2001, which will be filed promptly.

                                     PART IV
                                OTHER INFORMATION

(1)      Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
         notification

         Gregory G. Landry               (330)                     342-6729
               (Name)                 (Area Code)             (Telephone Number)
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(2)      Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of
         the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment
         Company Act of 1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter
         period that the registrant was required to file such report(s) been
         filed? If the answer is no, identify report(s).

                                                                  [X] Yes [ ] No

(3)      Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations
         from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be
         reflected by the earnings statements to be included in the subject
         report or portion thereof?

                                                                  [X] Yes [ ] No

If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively and
quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable estimate
of the results cannot be made.

The Company expects to report significantly weaker earnings for the second
quarter of 2001. However a reasonable estimate of the results cannot be made for
the reasons described in Part III.

                       Dairy Mart Convenience Stores, Inc.
                  (Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

         Has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date:  September 19, 2001                    By:  /s/    Gregory G. Landry
                                                  Name:  Gregory G. Landry
                                                  Title: President and
                                                         Chief Executive Officer

Instruction. The form may be signed by an executive officer of the registrant or
by any other duly authorized representative. The name and title of the person
signing the form shall be typed or printed beneath the signature. If the
statement is signed on behalf of the registrant by an authorized representative
(other than an executive officer), evidence of the representative's authority to
sign on behalf of the registrant shall be filed with the form.