Lots in Store at Outlets : Gift-buying can be wrapped up at a single destination. Factory malls offer a good mix of merchandise at often hefty discounts.
Shoppers, it seems, are always searching for convenience, and one-stop shopping is a com mon goal. General stores, department stores, malls--they all offer the promise of one-stop shopping, and all malls want a “good mix.”
When you can combine these two requirements--one stop and a good mix--with good value, you’ve got a winner. At no time during the year is this combination needed as much as during the holiday season. So how about a full day at a factory outlet mall to finish off the holiday shopping list?
A drive to the Desert Hills Factory Stores in Cabazon, outside of Palm Springs, could fill the bill. Clean desert air, sparkling sunshine and some upscale labels at greatly reduced prices; how’s that for a good mix?
Coach, Donna Karan, Adrienne Vittadini, Barbizon, Anne Klein, Jones New York, Adolfo, Esprit and Guess? are some of the outstanding labels for women. For men there’s Eddie Bauer, Brooks Brothers, Dockers, Van Heusen and A / X Armani. You’ll find bargains on just about all of them.
For gift-giving, top labels can impress recipients. Give her a Donna Karan jacket that retails for $850 and she’ll be thrilled, even though you only paid $385 for it at the outlet store.
If she adores Coach handbags, there are many to choose from. All the inventory has slight flaws in the leather, but I couldn’t see any of them. Deduct 30% for those flaws.
At Esprit we found some remarkable deals, such as denim overalls that started at $58 and were down to $10.50.
At the Brooks Brothers outlet, their only West Coast factory store, the merchandise is all first quality, and many items are regular Brooks Brothers stock reduced about 30%.
Check the Movado watch outlet. Prices are reduced 25% to 65% on all the inventory, which consists of discontinued styles. A woman’s watch that had sold for $3,900 was $2,150.
Wear comfortable shoes--there’s a lot of walking.
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It’s a lot easier to circumnavigate The Citadel, in the City of Commerce, which is not such a long drive from the San Fernando Valley, and there’s a good mix of stores for everyone. If you have a woman age 15 to 30 on your list, you are bound to score at the Betsey Johnson outlet. The current season’s merchandise is only 20% off, but if you go to last season’s goods, the tag will reflect a reduction of 80% to 90%.
A couple of doors away from Betsey Johnson, you’ll find Primetime, where we couldn’t believe the prices on top-name watches. This wholesale operation offered a man’s Fendi watch that retailed at $685 for $150. Other reductions were not quite as dazzling but well worth the drive. Check out the Armani sunglasses for $110.
All the way to the rear of the Max Studio outlet, we found fantastic buys on last season’s lines, marked 50% to 80% off the original prices.
Bargains in kitchenware, china, crystal, linens, lingerie, books and perfumes are all included in this outdoor mall setup.
Geri Cook’s Bargains column runs every Friday in Valley Life! Questions about shopping may be sent to her, in care of Valley Life!, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth, CA 91311. Letters will not be answered individually, but topics of general interest will be discussed in future columns. Geri Cook can be heard from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturdays on KIEV 870-AM.
Where to Shop
What: Desert Hills Factory Stores.
Location: 48650 Seminole Road, Cabazon (just off Interstate 10).
Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Cards: Most stores accept all major cards.
Call: (909) 849-6641.
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What: The Citadel Factory Outlet Center.
Location: 100 Citadel Drive, City of Commerce.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Cards: Most stores accept all major cards.
Call: (213) 888-1220.
