Hotel Liquidations Provide Buys in Quality Furniture

Would a good-looking, four-piece bedroom set priced at $119.95 lure you to East L.A. for a shopping trip? Perhaps a quality sofa bed for $99 would do the trick. These and other bargains at Hotel Surplus Outlet make the trip from the Valley worthwhile.

Owner Don Fenning recently bought furnishings from the Sheraton, Doubletree and Hilton chains and is offering them to the public at affordable prices. The bedroom grouping for $119.95 consists of a headboard, a five-drawer dresser, a night stand and a desk. A matching mirror is $14.95 and an additional night stand is $22.95.

One advantage to hotel liquidation is that unusual shapes and sizes are sometimes available. There are some small armoires for $199.95 and some octagonal occasional tables for $24.99. You’ll find a multipurpose game table with four lacquered and upholstered armchairs for $219.95.

There is generally a deep inventory of each item on the floor, and Fenning will give additional discounts on a volume buy.

Bentwood chairs are $29.95; large, white wicker upholstered chairs are $39.95; and some wood stacking chairs are $14.50. But one of the best deals in the place is the extra-large club chair with ottoman for $49.95. Glass and iron coffee tables are $44.95. Sturdy round tables that come with floor-length cloths and glass tops in 24-inch and 30-inch diameters are priced at $26.95. There’s an array of ceramic lamps at two for $25. Brass lamps are priced at $25 each.

Tremendous competition in the hotel industry generates constant pressure to upgrade properties, forcing the chains to refurbish often and liquidate furniture that’s in great condition. Because hotel furniture is built to commercial construction standards, it features higher levels of quality and durability than most typical home furnishings.

A room in the back contains bedding and window coverings. It’s one of the few places to find blackout drapes at affordable prices--$10 each. Queen-size bedspreads cost from $6.50 to $20; dust ruffles are $3.50. Everything seems to be clean and in good shape.

This is not just a one-time shot. Buys from hotel liquidations continue and will bring in different merchandise on a regular basis. Borrow your brother-in-law’s pickup, or rent one, since Hotel Surplus Outlet does not deliver.

In last week’s column we gave an incomplete address for Collectible Glitz-Miss La De Da’s. It’s at 21435 Sherman Way in Canoga Park.

Hotel Surplus Outlet, 3170 E. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles. Tuesday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (323) 780-7474.