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Sweet Deals at Bakery Thrift Stores

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<i> Geri Cook's Bargains column runs every Thursday in Valley View</i>

Shopping at the many bakery outlets in Los Angeles can cut food costs noticeably, particularly for large families. If you think the more expensive packaged bakery goods are not available at the outlets, erase that old tape. Most of the commercial breads on the market are produced by a few large companies. Two of the largest are Interstate Brands (Weber-Millbrook) and Entemann’s/Oroweat.

Weber’s Bakery Thrift Shops carry Better Way, Millbrook, 7-Grain and Roman Meal as well as Weber’s breads and Dolly Madison products. As a general rule, the products in Weber’s Thrift Shops are 4-days-old and are overstock or merchandise returned from the markets.

On breads or cakes, the minimum outlet discount is usually 50%, but the price reductions are often better. For example, the suggested retail for a 1 1/2-pound loaf of white Weber’s bread is $1.99, but at the outlet stores it is 61 cents. Better Way, Millbrook or 7-Grain breads are 99 cents at the outlets compared to the suggested retail of $2.03.

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Most Weber’s Bakery Thrift Shops have a weekly discount day with an additional 10% off the already reduced prices. Depending on the store, the discount day is either Tuesday or Wednesday, so you will need to check the store nearest you. Senior citizens get 10% off the marked price every day.

There are 76 outlets in Southern California for Weber’s and Dolly Madison, and hours vary at each outlet. Weber’s Bakery Thrift Shops in and near the San Fernando Valley include:

* 6901 San Fernando Road, Glendale, (818) 846-0995

* 12501 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood, (818) 761-8228

* 3121 W. 5th St., Oxnard (805) 984-1152

* 1346 San Fernando Road, San Fernando, (818) 361-6813

* 3350 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley, (805) 527-7215

* 8043 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys, (818) 782-6422

Entemann’s/Oroweat Bakery Outlets handle Entemann’s breads and muffins, Northridge and Old Country breads, Boboli Italian Bread Shells and Entemann’s pastry, which may be the best packaged diet-wrecker on the shelves. Price cuts start about 20% on oven-fresh products that are straight from the bakery but deviate from the standard in size, weight (either under or over) or appearance.

On Entemann’s products, check the bottom of the box for the dates, and you will know the last day it would be sold. On Entemann’s breads, check the plastic closure for the last sale date.

Special discount days are Wednesdays or Thursdays, depending on the store, for selected Entemann’s products at 50% off. For example, the Raspberry Danish Twist (15 oz.) that sells in the markets for $3.09 is $1.55.

For Entemann’s bread products, the special discount days are Saturdays, when all products are half price. A 10% discount is also available for senior citizens. For instance, the Honey Wheat Berry bread (24 oz. loaf) that regularly sells for $1.99 goes for $1.

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There are 89 Entemann’s/Oroweat outlets in Southern California. Among them are:

* 5029 Kanan Road, Agoura Hills, (818) 707-1870

* 21423 Strathern St., Canoga Park, (818) 348-9716

* 2705 Saddle Ave., Oxnard, (805) 485-2194

* 1101 Mission St., South Pasadena, (818) 441-4267

For other locations, call their corporate offices, (213) 720-6000.

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