Time to Update Your Notes on Local Discounters
Holidays provide a good opportunity for updating your shopper’s notebook (you do keep one, right?). Here is the latest info on some businesses I’ve written about in recent months.
Jean’s Stars’ Apparel just closed its Ventura Boulevard operation and merged with Past Perfect at 12616 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, so scratch Jean’s old address.
In March I wrote about the Leather Warehouse, where men’s and women’s leather apparel and accessories were selling on weekends. I apologize to those of you who wasted time trying to find them only to discover that they were closed. Manufacturers have the right, I suppose, to change their minds, and these folks did.
Last year, the subject of one column was Designer Discount Shoes, which first opened in Northridge and then moved to Encino where the business died a few weeks later. No further news of a reopening, and it’s too bad because now that Honey’s (in The Alley in the Valley, Tarzana) has closed, good shoe outlets in the San Fernando Valley are scarce. Next week’s column, however, will help fill in the void.
For the ladies who lunch--and wear hats--not only has the policy at Hats By Leko changed but so has the address. During the week, doors are now open only to manufacturers and for classes; they open to the public on Saturdays only. This wonderful source for millinery supplies is at 16128 Sherman Way in Van Nuys (818) 901-9926.
In March of last year we heralded St. Patrick’s Day with a column on the Irish Crystal Company in Agoura Hills, where they sold Tyrone crystal from Ireland at great prices. Sorry to report that they’ve closed their doors to the public and are selling wholesale only. We’ll miss them, and you can be sure if they reopen, I’ll pass on the good news.
Considering how businesses have fared locally in recent years, it is amazing that out of 120 bargain sources I’ve written about during the last 2 1/2 years, only four have closed their doors. It certainly proves that when retailers offer quality goods at reasonable prices, the consumer responds.
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Weekend Super Sales
* How about having a Brio week? For the uninformed, Brio is a Swedish manufacturer of wooden trains for ages 2 on up. These are top quality toys that come with a lifetime guarantee, and they are almost never on sale. But starting Monday and extending through July 13 at InteliPlay, you can take 20% off everything in the line.
Tracks, trains, tunnels, bridges and the always popular drawbridge. InteliPlay has three Valley locations: 14425 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks; 20929 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills; and 11163 Tampa Ave., Northridge.
* One of the Valley’s best sources for bedding, R & N Mattress, has recently converted to an all-Simmons store and is having an After Fourth special asking $399 for a queen-size Beautyrest; MaxiPedics start at $89.95 in a twin size and the Back Care line in a queen starts at $389. All come with a free heavy-duty frame and free delivery. R & N Mattress, 7315 Canoga Ave., Canoga Park. (818) 887-4883.
