Out-of-Way Outlets Promise Best Buys on Gifts, Linens

Here’s a double-header that will make a trip to Commerce more than worth it.

First, Jubilee is the factory store for a company that makes and distributes everything from lampshades to vases, It’s a must for bargain shoppers--particularly those with a large gift list and a small budget.

The items are unusual, fun--and the prices dazzling.

This family operation, in business for 22 years, designs the products here, then sends them to the Philippines, India or China for manufacture. You will find these items in many upscale specialty shops across the U.S. at much higher prices.

Factory overruns and seconds are sold to the public at prices that are way below wholesale. The price is half of what is marked (and the marked price was pretty good), but deduct 50% from that and there’s your dazzling deal.

We found beaded perfume bottles (retail $10) for $2.50, some hand-painted vases that retail for $30 going for $7.50, colorful beaded lampshades ranging from $4 to $20, and silver-plated bangle jewelry from India for $1 to $3.

Kids’ furniture is a big seller, with $100 shelves selling for $20, and hand-painted wood mini-vanities (retail $120) also for $20. The baby carriage samples from another manufacturer, which usually retail for $100 and up, won’t last long at $10.

Next door to Jubilee is the large warehouse for Acme Linens, a wholesale operation of name-brand linens selling seconds to the public at tremendous savings.

Fieldcrest, Stevens, Dundee and Martha Stewart are some of the names you’ll find here at wholesale prices. Bargain shopping doesn’t get much better than this.

* Jubilee, 5116 Triggs, city of Commerce. (213) 269-5403. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visa/MC. No checks. Acme Linens, 5136 Triggs, city of Commerce. (213) 266-4000. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visa/MC. No checks.

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Weekend Super Sale: October is clearance time at M.H. Designs & Fantasy World in Simi Valley. All furniture, custom-made in the Northridge factory, is 40% off original prices. A brushed denim 8-foot-long sofa that was $2,395 is $1,400 and wing-back chairs that were $999 are $600. The sale makes room for the store’s holiday extravaganza.

* M.H. Designs & Fantasy World, 21 W. Easy St., Simi Valley. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; (805) 584-2600.