Nothing Keeps ‘Em Coming (and Waiting) Like a Sale

Calvin Freeman is either the best husband in the world or--no offense intended, Cal--the craziest.

Last year, he promised his wife he would score for her the first of 900 tickets issued for the annual warehouse sale for St. John Knits, the Irvine design house known for its classic knitwear with gold logo buttons. By the time the sale begins Saturday, Freeman will have been in line for a week.

More than 600 bargain hunters from as far as Honolulu and Nantucket Island, Mass., turn out each year, hoping to save as much half or more on clothes that range from $800 to $3,000. ) Once the sale starts, a few dozen customers at a time enter the warehouse for a 90-minute session, so early birds snag the best buys.

Freeman, a supervising investigator for the Riverside County public defender’s office, took vacation time, rented a motor home and checked out of the real world last Saturday to be first in line for the sale tickets, dispensed Friday at 7 a.m. Deborah Freeman, his wife, and their 7-year-old twins arrived Tuesday.

While the Freemans will be enjoying a Thanksgiving dinner from Marie Callender’s in their motor home, others will be barbecuing in the parking lot or enjoying deliveries from their families.

Zane Newell of Tustin was in line, not for clothes, but for cash. The Orange Coast College fashion student will be taking home a crisp $100 bill for his efforts.

“I can’t really understand it,” said Newell, who was hired by his boss’ friend. “You’ve got all these women--some of them are rich--acting like homeless people for a clothing sale.”

The sale, at 18582 Teller Ave. in Irvine, continues through Dec. 2. Tickets are required Saturday and Sunday. For hours, call (949) 863-1171.