If you like the casual, hand-painted designer...
If you like the casual, hand-painted designer ceramics by Americaware, you can find considerable savings at its factory store in Gardena. The inventory of seconds, overruns and discontinued items “sold by names you know and [Americaware] can’t mention” sell for much less than at well-known stores.
The seconds usually have imperfections in the glaze (no chips or cracks allowed) and make up most of the offerings. Five-piece place settings that retail for $65 and up are $25, and Dutch-made vases are $6 and $10, down from $16 and $24 retail.
The store just underwent a face-lift and to celebrate the new look, management has established new hours and a policy of two specials each month. Currently, oven-to-table lasagna baking dishes that sell for $45 in many stores are $15, and Italian terra cotta tea light candle holders run $3, $5 and $7, which is 60% under the retail price.
Americaware Factory Store, 15401 S. Figueroa St., Gardena. Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (310) 324-3274.
WEEKEND SUPER SALES: The best sales are markdowns from already discounted bargains, and Sara’s is a perfect example. There are three racks of women’s apparel now 25% to 50% off their already low prices. Linen and Tercel dresses that retail for $89 and regularly sell here for $49.95 are now $25. Some linen jumpers, which retail at $85, are discounted at $69.95, but for this summer clearance sale are $29.95.
Sara’s, 10216 Riverside Drive, Toluca Lake. (818) 755-9070.
* Just around the corner from Sara’s is another worthwhile sale at Encore Sports, a source for quality at a discount. Encore is slashing prices on men’s and women’s sports apparel often found in pro shops. The Jamie Sadock golf shirts retail for $50 to $60 and are marked down to $10. Also for women, Natty and Kaelin labels are marked 60% off, or $15 to $20. For men, Polo and Skin Game shirts that retail for $40 are marked down to $15.
Encore Sports, 4446 Forman Ave., Toluca Lake. (818) 985-2221. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
