Barneys Warehouse Sale draws shoppers downtown

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The Barneys Warehouse Sale is back with its semiannual orgy of high-fashion discountery. But this time is different. The West Coast version of the bargain bin has moved east a bit from Santa Monica to downtown’s L.A. Convention Center.

Reporter Carla Hall made the trek and found that Westsiders weren’t thrilled with the new venue.

‘The convenience factor here? Not so much,’ said Brenna Egan, a laid-off fashion editor. ‘When it was at Santa Monica Airport, you drove in, there it was, you drove out. It was like a valet sample sale. Here,’ she said, gesturing toward the expanse of the convention center, ‘it’s like a maze.’

But Egan, who lives in Carthay Circle, brightened as she showed off her finds, including an Yves St. Laurent top marked down from $1,400 to $424.

‘I’m willing to go the extra mile -- the extra 10 miles -- for 75% off.’

There was grumbling about the $12 parking fee at the convention center and the healthy walk from wheels to deals. At the Santa Monica Airport, parking was free and closer.

On the upside: actual bathrooms, not port-a-potties as in Santa Monica. The sale runs until Aug. 23. Hours vary. The Los Angeles Convention Center, South Hall, 1201 S. Figueroa St.