Expanding to Perfect Pieces

When I was compiling L.A.’s first bargain book, “Bargain Hunting in L.A.” (now out of print), one of our prize finds was the Almost Perfect English China Shop. That was back in 1980 and proprietor Ruth Hertz had been at the helm for two years. The inventory at that time was made up of seconds in china and crystal from the British Isles, and the prices were extraordinary.

The prices are still excellent but the availability of seconds has greatly diminished. The insertion of an ampersand in the store’s name indicates that a great deal of the merchandise now on the shelves is first quality. Now it is the Almost & Perfect English China Shop. A few seconds show up here and there, the flaws are indicated and the price slash is 50% to 70% off regular retail; but most of the pieces are perfect and at price cuts ranging from 20% to 40%.

Over the years, Hertz has become as obsessed with china as many of her customers are, and she has expanded her search for good buys to include all of Europe, not just the British Empire. She buys Limoges, Lalique and Bacarat in France, Rosenthal and Villeroy & Boch in Germany, Belleek in Ireland and Fitz & Floyd. The F & F doorstops, all less than $30, make excellent gifts.

Hertz used to stock Waterford crystal but believes that too many manufacturers are copying the Irish giant and that Stuart Crystal from England is more desirable. “It has more clarity, far fewer defects and very classic designs,” Hertz says. As an example of the savings on Stuart, the Senator pattern stemware retails for $59.90; the price here is $35.80.

At the top of the request list these days for the yuppie crowd is Portmeirion, made in England now but originally from Wales. You’ll find all the Portmeirion patterns--Botanic Gardens, Birds of Britain, Queens Hidden Garden, Variations and Pomona--here. And to the delight of the shopper, it’s open stock. You can buy one piece or the whole set, and the standard discount is tagged at 10% off retail. An additional 10% at the register gives the Portmeirion shopper a solid 20% off. Portmeirion makes dinnerware, cookware and many accessory pieces, from place mats to clocks, and soon-to-come fabric and wallpaper. I even spotted a toaster cover in a Portmeirion pattern. It seems like one whole section of this tiny shop is devoted to this popular name, and Hertz always warns the first-time buyer that collecting Portmeirion can become addictive.

Some Arthur Wood teapots from England were an excellent deal. Regularly priced at $35, they were selling here for $17.90. Royal Worcester, also from England, is a good seller in white because it mixes so well with other designs. A unusually wide 16-inch turkey platter that retails for $75 was a terrific deal at $37.90.

The Christmas Village pattern by Mason (owned now by Wedgwood) is charming in its Grandma Moses sort of simplicity, and it’s very popular. A five-piece place setting consists of a dinner plate, salad plate, bread and butter plate, cup and saucer and sells for $39.90, instead of the $62.50 retail. Spode’s Christmas Tree pattern is in stock year-round and the pre-holiday discount is a solid 25%.

Baccarat is tagged at 25% off regular retail prices, as is Lalique, but not all patterns are on the shelves. If it has to be special-ordered, the discount goes down to 15%.

There’s courtesy gift wrap and a very knowledgeable and helpful sales staff. This is a small shop with narrow aisles. Considering the fragile nature of the merchandise, I strongly suggest that you leave the little ones at home.

The Almost & Perfect English China Shop is in Sherman Oaks at 14519 Ventura Blvd., (818) 905-6650. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. MasterCard/Visa.