Little Duds, Low Prices

A local manufacturer of children’s apparel operates her outlet store on Ventura Boulevard with one surprising twist. The word “outlet” does not appear in the title of the store.

With so many retailers using this word just to draw in shoppers, it’s unusual that a legitimate factory store doesn’t.

The inventory at New Kid on the Blvd. is made up of apparel for boys and girls, infant to size 14. You’ll see these designs at boutiques and department stores but not at these prices. Everything is at least half off retail, and many items are below wholesale.

Some of the denim creations are heavily decorated, some are not, so you can pick and choose. A black denim three-piece suit for boys, with strategically sewn patches depicting various cars, would run around $200 retail, but the price here is $55. An ornate denim skirt for girls usually sells for $50, but it’s below wholesale here at $19.95.

I love the old-fashioned, and expensive, look of jumpers featured at other stores for $90; you’ll like the $29 tag. There’s a vast difference in the designs here. Some have a country European look, some are glitzy and contemporary.

But prices of the first-quality overruns, samples and close-outs tend to be uniformly affordable. New Kid on the Blvd., 14456 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. (818) 906-1192. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

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Weekend Super Sale: You don’t have to go far--how about just next door?--for some excellent deals. Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Co. is closing its only outlet store at the end of March, and everything in the store is drastically reduced.

If a $68 teddy bear for $7.95 doesn’t get you into this store soon, then I guess you’re not into teddy bears. Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Co. Outlet, 14458 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. (818) 981-1094.