Opening Sale Launches Comeback After Fire
A disastrous fire last year destroyed the premises and inventory of a local manufacturer’s outlet store. It seemed as though they were gone for good. But San Fernando Valley bargain shoppers are in luck--The Clothing Factory has just reopened, the racks are full and a grand opening sale is now in progress to mark the event.
The name of the game here, as it was before the fire, is modular dressing, which allows the consumer to create myriad possibilities. More than a 18 women’s designs come in a washable cotton-polyester fabric that needs no ironing; the whole idea is to mix and match.
Comfortable, washable, packable and affordable are all adjectives that apply to the inventory at the outlet store, and the word affordable would be underlined and in caps.
Many of these items you will find at large discounters and small retailers across the country where, of course, they will sell at retail prices, often under a store’s private label. At the outlet, the labels read Nik Dorr and Bodywear and prices are 30% to 40% below most retail prices.
A tank top, for example, would retail around $10, wholesale is $4.50, and at the outlet the tag reads $6. A V-neck collarless jacket retails for $32 at most stores, but the price here is $19.
Elastic-waist pants that retail for $15 are $9. Put this all together and you have a totally coordinated ensemble for $34, instead of $57.
There are also three styles of dresses, three styles of skirts, walking shorts and several shirt designs. The dresses run from $14 to $24 (retail $24 and $39) and some accessories, such as belts, tube tops or hair loops, can finish off an outfit.
Most designs are in solid colors (from white to black with eight pastel shades in between), although a few coordinated prints can spice up an outfit. Let your color preferences loose and mix them all together and you’ve got a great way to plan a travel wardrobe. Sizes run small, medium, large and a few extra large. These are great clothes for casual everyday wear, and with proper accessorizing, some styles and colors can go into evening. Also check the racks on the far left for some unisex pants and tops that are priced at $10 or two for $18.
The Clothing Factory, 6381 Tampa Ave., Reseda; (818) 606-7219. Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and for the grand opening sale, they will be open this coming Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Weekend Super Sale: Roseman’s Menswear and Shoes, one of Southern California’s most reliable sources for quality men’s apparel, is celebrating 22 years in business with an anniversary sale that should get the attention of sharp dressers on a budget. Designer suits (Cerruti, Cardin, St. Laurent, Louis Roth, Chaps, Sansabelt, Balmain, Bill Blass and others) that usually retail, even at some discounters, for $295 to $395, are $125. For $85 you can get a sport coat that would usually run $250 to $265, slacks (retail $85 to $95) are $40 and some silk ties that usually go for $30 to $50 are $5. The sale starts today and goes through Sunday. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 2211 East Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 622-6266
