If it were so easy, would it be as exciting? Take, for instance, the line of (mostly) women waiting outside The Lang Companies warehouse in Delafield on a chilly fall morning, the air thick with anticipation for the sale beginning at 9 a.m.
If you’re like me, you like a good deal. You like to know you got something super for a price no one will believe. The satisfaction is heightened when the compliments pour in. Do you keep it to yourself or tell everyone you meet what an incredible steal it was?
Searching for a great deal seems to be in our blood. “The theory is that tens of thousands of Milwaukeeans come from the peasant class in Europe that became part of the working class in America,” says Milwaukee historian John Gurda. “For them, being frugal wasn’t just a virtue. It was a survival skill.
“And as people have been able to afford more, the habit persists to this day.”
So it does. And not just for those of us who are money-crunched. When I hear of a female executive buying Isaac Mizrahi suits at Target, I know it’s not just me.
My husband and I are notorious for bragging about the deals we find. He’ll come home from his weekly grocery shopping trips, eager to point out the dollar amount he saved printed on his receipt. He gets his dress shirts and pants almost exclusively from the Kohl’s end-of-the-season sales racks and is armed with coupons mailed to credit card holders that he uses on top of in-store discounts and clearance prices.
My bargain hunting is more frenetic, more spontaneous – like the time I took a look at Boston Store’s shoe clearance and found white leather pumps for $7 – for my wedding. Or it’s more extreme – like the great-condition La-Z-Boy recliner found curbside during college that sits in our living room today.
The thought of buying an item at full price when, with a little patience and time, you can get it for less, makes us cringe. Why get fewer things when you can get more for the same amount?
Says James Pokrywczynski, associate professor of advertising and public relations at Marquette University, who has studied coupon-collecting behavior: “There is an aspect of game playing and achievement that comes from shopping for bargains.”
You might have the same reaction.
So we’ve made it easier than ever to find those deals with our exclusive list of places that regularly sell things for less, some bargain-hunting tips and a clip-and-save list of big sales.
If you haven’t taken the time to bargain shop, there are no more excuses. Don’t be the fool who pays full price.
FASHION
T.J.Maxxand Marshalls (locations, right) are owned by the same company. And it’s no wonder TJXCompanies stock has made Forbes’A-list of companies for investors for the last six years. Both offer name-brand clothing for less than you’d buy it in department stores and at other retailers. Think Liz Claiborne, DKNY, Jones New York, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren. There’s also a generous selection of purses and jewelry. TJMaxx also has a Web site where you can purchase a limited selection of merchandise (www.tjmaxx.com).(See also “Home,” page 41, and “Shopping With the Experts,” page 42).
DSW Shoe Warehouse
It’s a strip mall chain, but who cares when you’re saving so much on designer shoes like Enzo, Polo by Ralph Lauren and BCBGParis. We found Enzo pumps for $59. On the clearance rack upstairs, discounts vary from 30 to 70 percent. Join the frequent customer program at the registers; spend $250 and they mail you a $25 gift certificate. 2265 N. Mayfair Rd., 443-0115.
Payless Shoe Source
There aren’t any name brands, but does it matter when you can buy black kitten heel pumps for $14 that look exactly like a Nine West pair priced several times more? The quality isn’t always top-notch (although I wore a pair of loafers every day for several seasons before they ripped), but for trendy styles you wear for a season or two, it’s a good value. Wait for a buy-one-get-one-half-off or buy-two-get-one-free sale. Multiple locations.
Lands’ End Inlet
Personally, I’m not a fan of Lands’ End’s bland styles, and its “Best Sellers” aren’t any cheaper at this store than in the catalog. But on the Overstock racks, we found parkas before the true winter season had even started, including a women’s coat originally priced at $68 for $29.50 and $99 children’s coats for $49. We also discovered fashionable sweaters on a clearance table in the $20 to $30 range. 8777 N. Port Washington Rd., Fox Point, 247-8880; 17925 W. Blue Mound Rd., 262-879-2000.
Windy City Outlets
Here you’ll find last season’s European shoes for kids, some women’s shoes, maternity wear and women’s and children’s clothes for an advertised 50 to 75 percent off. The small store doesn’t look high-end – shoes are jammed on table tops and clothes are hung unceremoniously. Don’t be fooled. You can pick up a $189 Roberto -Cavalli girl’s boot marked down to $92. Includes Piggy Toes, formally in Mequon; carries -Moschino, Naturino and more. 2930 N. Brookfield Rd., Brookfield, 262-796-0010.
Men’s Wearhouse
Go for Pierre Cardin, Donna Karan and other designer suits sold at this nationwide chain rather than its own labels. The store advertises that its merchandise is 25 to 30 percent less than other retailers. Watch -prices carefully and compare with sales at local department stores. For every $500 you spend, the store will send you a $50 certificate. Sales with deeper discounts are typically after Christmas and in mid-summer. Multiple locations.
Canvasbacks
Company Store
Just opened last year. This is the first time the company has sold its stuff in its own store, at 35 percent or more below retail. The back room, Betsy’s Closet, stocks merchandise left over from warehouse sales and marks it down even further. Betsy’s also features “Special Editions,” which designer -Betsy Horsfield makes from leftover material and are not sold in other stores. 1039 S. Second St., 383-8160.
Mars Distributing
Gold and Diamonds
I clipped an ad for the famed Tiffany & Co. picturing a diamond ring and gave it to my then-fiancé. He had it custom-made here for thousands less than regular jewelry stores. The staff will go to Chicago, pick out a few diamonds within your parameters, and let you choose. There is also a wide selection of ready-to-buy jewelry. 19035 W. Blue Mound Rd., Suite 9, 262-821-1450.
Harleys The Store for Men
Wait to shop at this high-end store during the month of your birthday (or during its annual sales and late-summer sidewalk sale). Sign up for the “Birthday Club” certificate on www.harleys4men.com, on the phone or in the store and they’ll mail you a $25 certificate. 4009 N. Oakland Ave., 332-3404. Similarly, Aala Reed, also a men’s clothier, sends a $10 birthday discount certificate good during the month of your birthday. 1320 E. Brady St., 226-2252.
Allen-Edmonds Shoe Bank II
The stock is “factory seconds,” which means it has some kind of cosmetic blemish, like the stitching is a bit off. Not a problem when you can get this kind of quality discounted 25 percent? There is no older merchandise, overstock or returned items here. They also carry some regular-priced merchandise. 18900 W. Blue Mound Rd., Suite 15, 262-785-6666; 11043 N. Port Washington Rd., Mequon, 262-241-4266; factory store: 201 E. Seven Hills Rd., Port Washington, 262-284-7158.
SteinMart
The deals weren’t as good here as at other off-price stores, but SteinMart is better organized; you’ll save time because all of the same items are on one rack. We found Ralph -Lauren and Nautica for men reduced from full price. A women’s Adec black and white long hound’s-tooth jacket, with the original $575 tag, was marked down to $199. 16950 W. Blue Mound Rd., 262-938-6807.
HOME
JCPenney Furniture Outlet
We found beautiful pieces – from leather sofas to cherry headboards. The outlet carries discontinued items, overstock and special orders customers have refused. The key is to look carefully – some items are damaged, and unless you can easily (cheaply) fix the visible flaws, it might not be such a great deal. Another hint: Visit often. 11800 W. Burleigh St., 259-2339.
Sears Appliance Outlet
This is a first stop when shopping for appliances. Look them over carefully, as there are used and returned items with slight damage. Still, we found a top-of-the-line Maytag dishwasher for $350 (normally $499). Once installed, the small dent wasn’t visible. During red tag sales, save 50 to 60 percent off already discounted items. The warranties on the items are the same as new, and merchandise is returnable within 30 days. 6001 W. State St., 259-0404.
American TV & Appliance Clearance Room
We spotted headboards originally priced at more than $500 for just $100. Some items might be slightly damaged and some are sold as is. The selection includes opened merchandise. A separate room with appliances is worth a look. (Note: The Brown Deer location does not have a clearance room.) W229 N1400 Westwood Dr., Waukesha, 262-521-1000; 9191 S. 13th St., Oak Creek, 768-1000.
Tuesday Morning
These stores are like the home departments at T.J.Maxx or Marshalls on steroids. The Brookfield store is hidden away in the back of a strip mall, but this warehouse-style discount store is quite a find, with Pfaltzgraff dishes, photo albums, luggage, KitchenAid appliances and more. It has even bigger advertised sales that mark stuff 50 and 75 percent off several times a year. Open year-round except in January and July. 18110 W. Blue Mound Rd., 262-784-6037; 6590 W. Brown Deer Rd., 365-3626.
Bazaar Home Decorating Center
This store offers a large selection of discounted fabrics for your home for reupholstering, curtains and slip covers. Watch the paper for the sales to get the best prices. 21950 Watertown Rd., Town of Brookfield, 262-784-2448.
Furniture Clearance Center
You won’t be tempted to think cheap at this outlet for pricey Porters of Racine. But if high-end is what you’re looking for, you’ll get bargains on both contemporary and traditional pieces. We spotted a brushed-gold Councill bedroom set originally priced at more than $44,000 marked $18,000 (most stuff isn’t thatexpensive). Tags say you save 40 percent, occasionally 60 percent. Wait for the store’s Memorial and Labor Day sales and you’ll save even more. 19035 W. Capitol Dr., 262-781-8844; 8901 W. North Ave., 476-2622.
Steinhafels Furniture Superstore Clearance Center
Avoid temptation in this Ikea-like maze and go straight to the 25,000-square-foot Clearance Center in back. You’ll save some 25 to 60 percent on discontinued items and floor models, though the store advertises up to 75 percent off original selling prices. Highway 164 and I-94, Waukesha, 262-436-4500.
Eggerts Furniture Clearance Center
We found two floors of showroom space at this Eggerts outlet and much of the furniture about 50 percent off. N64 W23640 Main St., Sussex, 262-246-6550.
The George Kashou Co.
Check out the clearance department, where area rugs and discontinued carpet are always 50 to 70 percent off. The store also has a regular sale on Labor Day, when it’s 50 percent off every rug in the store. 2169 N. Farwell Ave., 271-9020.
Big Lots
The store is a great big space with packed shelves, best for picking up household incidentals – kitchen towels, utensils, curtain rods – for less. Multiple locations.
T.J. Maxx and Marshalls
Both stores’ home departments are well worth the stop. Picture frames, pots and pans, pillows, comforters, wine glasses – we just keep finding great deals. Think Wamsutta and Laura Ashley sheets and Samsonite luggage. (See “Fashion,” page 40, for locations.)
Do-It-Yourself Bathroom Center
Ignore the cramped space at this 27-year-old business. If you’d rather visit one place dedicated to bathrooms instead of one of the bigger home improvement stores, this is it. Pay less for brand names like Kohler and Moen and other top bathroom products. 6135 W. Greenfield Ave., 257-2002.
SECONDHAND
St. Mary’s Thrift Shop
You’ll have to dig through the home items, clothes, books and miscellaneous used stuff at this parish shop, but it’s worth it. We were blown away when we found men’s suits by Jos. A. Bank that appeared hardly worn – for $8. Hey, if you don’t trust us, listen to financial expert Clark Howard, who advises buying suits (and does so himself) at thrift stores. 13150 Juneau Blvd., Elm Grove, 262-784-6644.
New To You Kids
Located in strip malls with other discount stores, we found the merchandise here extraordinarily clean and in good condition; some even appeared new. The great find at these places is, of course, something new, with the tag still on it. Name brands included Gap Kids, The Children’s Place, Carter’s, even a Tommy Hilfiger outfit for $4.95. There’s a $1-or-less rack, toys, and we found Halloween costumes last fall for less than $10. The store also offers a red stamp card: You get a stamp for every $25 you spend, and when it’s full (12 stamps), you get $25 off any purchase. 3835 N. 124th St., Brookfield, 262-783-4778; 5020 S. 74th St., 325-7512.
The Once Again Consignment Boutique
You can hit the mother load here: St. John by Marie Gray, Ann Taylor, Ralph Lauren, Talbots, BCBGMax Azria. We saw a D&Ghot-pink knit sleeveless turtleneck under $10. Don’t miss purses, jewelry and other accessories, too. The store carries mostly women’s stuff but also some men’s suits and children’s clothes. Best of all, everything is organized by color and size. (See also “Shopping With the Experts,” page 42.) 15740 W. Capitol Dr., 262-781-4747.
Rocky’s Designer Consignment for Women
The clothing in the window displays drew me in. It looked so hip – the gray beaded pants paired with a dark-pink sweater and scarf. It’s too bad I waited a week – the outfit was gone. This small store, three years old, carries the same brands found in other local -consignments. But if I can buy pieces to cover me from head to toe straight off the mannequin, we’re talking time savings here. Watch for their kids’ store opening next door. 1916 E. Capitol Dr., 963-2063.
Lela
This small, hip, boutique-style store doesn’t scream used clothing. In fact, half of what they carry is new clothing by local designers. There’s more ambiance than most used-clothing stores, and you’ll find some good used pieces. We spotted a Calvin Klein jean jacket for $36 and a Helmut Lang black vinyl coat for $45. 321 N. Broadway, 727-4855.
East Town Resale
This consignment shop caters to an older crowd. We found a wide selection of women’s business suits, including those by Tahari, Escada and Armani. Like other places, you have to dig. Skip over lower-end brands like Gap and Express (eek, we even found Old Navy), which you can buy new on sale at their own stores for less than the used merchandise here. 159 N. Broadway, 273-1030.
Playroom Closet
This large store offers everything from clothing and toys to cribs, changing tables, dressers and bassinets. Most of the furniture appeared in good condition. We found a good selection of Carter’s sleepers for less than $5, and they all looked new. 9306 W. Greenfield Ave., 727-9065.
Online
Freecycle.org
This international Web site, with a page specific to Milwaukee (www.Milwaukeefreecycle.org), appears to be a great place to unload all of your crap – or acquire someone else’s. Post a free ad, someone replies and takes your unwanted things off your hands. The idea is that nothing ends up taking space in a dump somewhere, and one person’s junk is another’s treasure. And often it is. One frequent user tells us he scored an upright freezer in perfect working condition.
Craigslist.org
This phenomenon – started in San Francisco by, yes, a guy named Craig – has reached Milwaukee. Post your own ad for free in a variety of categories. Sell your car, furniture or flute lessons; find a friend or a date; barter services or items; or just give something away for free. Likewise, find something you need – a mechanic, a housekeeper, a ride. Time will tell whether it becomes as big here as it has been in other cities.
FOOD
Health Hut
You’ll notice a difference in some of the prices at this small health food store compared to larger stores. Pricey Natural Ovens of Manitowoc bread is sold day-old for less. We found a 24-ounce loaf of white at $1.99 and low-carb for $2.79. The stores also carry cheaper bagels and buns, as well as fresh produce, lotions and shampoos, herbs, vitamins, cleaning products and more. 19035 W. Blue Mound Rd., 262-821-2122; 2225 S. 108th St., 545-8844.
Brownberry
If there’s a place worth a trip, it’s this one. Much of the merchandise, including loaves of bread, are 50 percent off retail. Besides Brownberry, there are Entenmann’s products and other brands of bagels, crackers, cereal and tea. Get a $25 punch card; once full, you get two items free, selected from a list on the card. Spend $12 and you get a double punch. 318 E. Summit Ave., Oconomowoc, 262-567-0667; 17395 W. Blue Mound Rd., 262-784-0778.
Pete’s Fruit Market
You have to be smart about what you buy, but there are some deals here. We found six lemons for $1 and other produce sold by the small bushel, like five to six yellow peppers for $2. 1400 S. Union St. (off of Greenfield Avenue), 383-1300.
Wonder/Hostess
On a sugar or fat binge? Try this outlet, which discounts the stuff you remember from childhood, like Twinkies and Ding Dongs. And who could forget Wonder Bread? 230 N. Chicago Ave., South Milwaukee, 762-5300; 5340 W. Loomis Rd., 421-8020; 21200 Doral Rd., Waukesha, 262-786-2670.
Half Nuts
The selection of candy and nuts will make you salivate, but you won’t choke on the prices. Also offers vintage and “lite” -candy. 9617 W. Greenfield Ave., 476-6887.
Discount Liquor
The difference between the prices here and at other stores on top-shelf brands is negligible. What makes this place great is the selection of no-name brands that sell for much less than name brands. There’s also a great selection of wines. Look for the red price tags for the best deals. Buy a case of non-sale wine and get a 10 percent discount. 5031 W. Oklahoma Ave., 545-2175; 919 N. Barstow St., Waukesha, 262-547-7525.
Sara Lee Outlet
We found two 14-ounce pans of brownies for $3. Other good deals surround you – from pies to burritos. 4274 S. 27th St., 282-5110; 10432 W. Silver Spring Dr., 466-9891.
Usinger’s
The famed Milwaukee -sausage shop regularly carries seconds; selection varies daily. There are no advance orders on seconds; it’s first come, first served. Discounts vary by product. For example, wieners that are normally $3.49 are $2.59. 1030 N. Old World Third St., 276-9105.
ENTERTAINMENT
Silver Cinema’s Budget South Silver simply has the best deals. All shows, every day, are $2; on Tuesday, they’re just a buck. You’ll see older movies, but two people can go to this theater for less than most movie rentals. 4475 S. 108th St., 256-1321.
Fracaro’s Lanes
You have to score your own, but if you don’t mind the smoky environment, you can bowl for just $2 per game and $1 for shoes. 1430 Whiterock Ave., Waukesha, 262-547-5877.
UWM Union Cinema
People have sung the praises of the foreign films offered here. Free upcoming programming:
• 2005 French Film Festival (February 11-20).
• 26th Annual Latin American Film Series (April 8-15).
• Asian Film Festival (April 22-May 1).
Offered through the Union Theatre ($5 general; $4 faculty, staff, Alumni Association members, students and seniors):
• World Cinema: Global films and independents in -America, including Milwaukee premieres, -restorations, re-releases and filmmaker visits.
• Documentary Frontiers: Expanded documentary series on Tuesdays, unless otherwise noted, opposite the Experimental program (see next item).
Also free:
• Experimental Tuesdays: Presented by the Department of Film on selected Tuesdays of the month.
• Community Media Project: Film/video on the African and African diaspora cultures.
• Sundance Channel Presents: Monthly: films, documentaries, shorts and previews of upcoming Sundance -releases and exclusive programming. 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd., 229-4070.
UPAF Card
For a $60 donation to the United Performing Arts Fund, you receive a card that gets you a free ticket with one purchased for participating groups. Restrictions apply for some groups and performances. 273-8723.
Milwaukee Brewers
Since 1997, fans have cashed in on free tickets by filling up at BP or Amoco stations. You get a stamp for every eight gallons of gas; five stamps for a free Terrace Level ticket. This summer, my husband and I pumped only eight gallons of gas at a time and collected enough for 10 free tickets. That’s a tailgate party!
Don’t forget the obstructed Uecker seats at Miller Park, just $1. Watch from the standing area next to the scoreboard or from the back of the first level, where you can perch your drink on a cabaret table. 902-4000.
Milwaukee Bucks
Watch for the family four-packs, offered periodically, which include four tickets and $14 worth of concessions. These are discounted packages; for example, a $154 value for $85. There is no set schedule; find out about them through ticket booklets and newspapers. 227-0500.
Milwaukee Wave
Check out www.milwaukee-wave.comfor family four-pack nights. Purchase four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas for $50 in advance through the Wave office. 224-9283.
Milwaukee Public Museum On Mondays (9 a.m.-5 p.m.), admission is free to Milwaukee County residents. The Humphrey Imax Dome Theatre has matinees at 2:50 and 4:00 Monday-Friday (also 5:10 p.m. Thursday and Friday). $5.50. 800 W. Wells St., 278-2702.
Milwaukee Art Museum
Free general admission for county residents 10 a.m.-noon Monday and Saturday. 700 N. Art Museum Dr., 224-3220.
Mitchell Park Domes
Free to county residents Mondays 9-11:30 a.m., except major holidays. 524 S. Layton Blvd., 649-9800.
Milwaukee County Zoo
Free admission for county residents on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s (limited hours). County residents get $1.50 off daily; Wednesday admission reduced to $4.50 for adults and $2 for kids. 10001 W. Blue Mound Rd., 771-5500.
Betty Brinn
Children’s Museum
Free admission every third Thursday from 5-8 p.m. 929 E. Wisconsin Ave., 390-5437.
Haggerty Museum of Art
Free. (Marquette University, 530 N. 13th St., 288-1669.
Milwaukee County Historical Society
Free. 910 N. Old World Third St., 273-8288.
UWM Union Art Gallery
Free. 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd., 229-6310.
Institute of Visual Arts
All programs and galleries free. – Inova, UWM; three galleries at various locations on campus.
No Cover
At local bars that have live music, you may not have to pay a cover if you get there early – before the music starts. Check with the venue.
Book Buys
The Milwaukee Central Library’s 10-cent book sales in March and August start at 9 a.m., and you better get there right away. Hundreds of titles are crammed onto and beneath tables in a meeting room. Get there early lest you find only How Lawyers Screw Their Clients and not James Michener’s Hawaii.There are kids’ books, too, mostly for older elementary and preteen readers. Rummage through tattered pages and ignore stains and coffee rings.
Paper Pusher
Paper supplier xpedx has a store that is open to the public (117 W. National Ave., 643-4909). Here, reams of paper are much cheaper than at fancier boutique paper stores. I bought all of the paper and envelopes to make my wedding invitations. You’ll find clearance merchandise at 50 percent off. The best deals are envelopes you can pair with homemade cards.
Back at You
Look for Menards’ rebate item in Sunday’s ad – there’s one every other week or so. The home improvement chain doesn’t just hand these items out, but close enough. Pay for them and wait for your rebate in the form of a store credit. Use the credit to pay for your next purchase and forget about handing over any cash. We’ve gotten gardening tools, fall flower bulbs and small rugs – all items we could use.
Inexpensive Intimates
If you are a small or petite woman, forget dropping
C-notes at Vicki’s for bedroom attire. We found some sexy little numbers at several teen-oriented stores in the malls – two-piece sets for $15 and a 99-cent bin of cheeky thongs and boy shorts. Check Southridge mall’s Rue21 and DEB.
Do-it-yourself Discounts
Every other week or so, Jo-Ann and Michaels stores (multiple locations) offer coupons in Sunday’s paper for 40 percent off one regular-priced item and 50 to 60 percent off custom framing. Don’t overlook Michaels dollar bins near the registers for pads of paper, thank-you notes, blank note cards (I bought some with French poster art specifically to scan, enlarge and frame), candy, ribbons and kids’ stuff. Great for party or shower favors.
Hometown Freebies
Check with your municipality’s Department of Public Works – many offer things like wood chips, mulch and dirt free of charge to residents.
Student Shears
Milwaukee Area Technical College offers haircuts by students for just $3. We haven’t tested it, but the idea of sharing this information was too tantalizing to leave out. Make an appointment at your own risk (700 W. State St.). Locations change for each session: 297-6819, -6399, -6476, -7854.).
Penny-Pinching
You won’t find great fashion at the JCPenney Outlet, but you will find deals like wash cloths for $1 and miscellaneous household items, candles and especially children’s clothes (10332 W. Silver Spring Dr., 464-1111).
High-end Home
Enter George Watts & Son (761 N. Jefferson St., 290-5700), go straight ahead and down the stairs to find sets of dishes (we spotted Wedgwood), linens, napkin rings, platters, wine glasses and more all marked at half the original price.
Dirt-Cheap Wheels
Hidden beneath the Hawley Street bridge just before State Street is the Municipal Warehouse (1028 N. Hawley Rd.), where parking spots are hard to come by during the City of Milwaukee’s “country store sales,” held three or so times in the summer, during which mostly used bikes are sold. We saw a few people walking away with some gems – bikes of
all kinds are $5. The city also was selling old CPUs for $10. Watch the city’s Web site: www.milwaukee.gov.
Restaurant Rewards
It’s simple: Sign up for Bartolotta Restaurant’s Preferred Program,show your Preferred Card and receive a point for every dollar you spend, excluding tax and tip. For every 250 points, Bartolotta automatically sends you a $25 gift certificate. Points are accumulated on an annual basis and can’t be carried over to the next calendar year.
Produce Punch
At El Rey on the near South Side (multiple locations), you’ll not only find a supply of Mexican staples but a few good deals on produce: avocados are 30 percent cheaper than at big grocery stores, and limes go 15 for $1.
Beer Gear Here
Brew City Beer Gear Warehouse Store offers discontinued or leftover Milwaukee-themed merchandise from the Brew City Beer Gear stores in Grand Avenue, Southridge and Brookfield Square malls. You’ll find bargain souvenirs. T-shirts are $5 apiece or three for $10. Sweatshirts and other clothing cost more (240 N. Milwaukee St., 226-2244).
Shopping with the Experts
Our fashion editor, Florida Perry Smith, and hairstylist and radio personality Brian Houston hunt for deals.
For Her
Walking into the Once Again Consignment Boutique (15740 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield, 262-781-4747), Florida immediately likes what she sees – and smells. Unlike some similar shops, this place is fresh and clean.
What’s her strategy for finding great deals on used, upscale, designer clothing like that found here? She looks for organization. If you have to dig and weed through things, forget it. A call ahead to find out what designers the store carries is a good idea. If they’re high-end, you know the clothing comes from people who know and want quality.
“Let’s go!” she says, and we head for the first neatly ordered rack of clothes categorized by color and size. We’re looking for trend pieces, with the idea of updating a wardrobe. That means tweed, animal prints, faux fur, anything with texture. A Ralph Lauren or Chanel piece would catch her eye, she says. But “if the material is of quality, labels don’t matter.” She pulls out an oatmeal-colored Liz Claiborne cable cardigan with a removable faux-fur collar for $24.99. It’s our first great find.
She grabs a fluffy fuchsia sweater. The color is -intriguing, but only an “ugh” comes out of her mouth. Is the dolman sleeve out of style? “It’s just not flattering,” she says. “Just because something is a good deal doesn’t mean it’s good for you.”
Florida pulls more pieces – a black Chanel-inspired sweater coat with white stitching for $48.99, a Dana Buchman black wrap sweater ($48.99, “sexy!”), even a gray Guess faux fur-collared zip-down sweater ($34.99). Then it’s on to bottoms.
We’re still on the hunt for updates to a wardrobe that should already contain some staples and classic pieces. If you don’t have those already, Florida says, you weren’t thinking when you bought. Something catches her eye: an oatmeal and brown patterned skirt for $24.99 by J. Crew, a great designer knockoff that will go with the Liz Claiborne sweater we pulled earlier. “Um, um, um. This is smart. A take-control piece. An ‘I’m in charge’ skirt,” she says.
She also finds a great pair of black pants with tan stitching down the legs for $26.99 and a tweed Eddie Bauer skirt for $28.99, which she advises wearing with a crisp white shirt and a tweed and leather Coach purse she discovers for $88.99.
We lay out the pieces we’ve collected.
Florida pairs the Guess sweater with a gray, boiled wool shirt, $28.99, that has a little slit on one side. She pulls a zebra-print box-style purse with a beaded handle, $38.99, to go with it. “This is our over-the-top designer handbag,” she exclaims.
The Chanel-inspired jacket is matched with crushed-velvet pants, $22.99.
Other pieces Florida likes are a Wilsons leather blazer-style jacket for $88.99 (“a great, great deal”) and a $78 black Lord & Taylor suit which, she notes, would cost $300-$400 new.
On our way out, she whispers to me, with a sly smile on her face: “You can have a lot of fun here.”
For Him
Hair stylist Brian Houston is not one who usually shops off-price and discount stores. He typically heads to Gucci and Saks Fifth Avenue in Chicago, where “you walk in and you know you’ll find something you like,” he says. “At these [discount] places, there’s so much shit.”
But he’s game and willing to offer his expertise.
He’s wowed before we even start. He meets us dressed in designer jeans and Gucci shoes paired with – get this – a white Old Navy button-down shirt he got the day before for $5. “You can find a $5 white shirt you can pair with $200 jeans. How great is that?” he exclaims.
Our first stop is T.J. Maxx (9020 N. Green Bay Rd.), and we head for the clearance rack. He pulls a few shirts that catch his eye, but the savings aren’t good enough. He reaches for a cream-colored wool and cashmere sweater. It’s a Polo Golf, priced originally at $250; here it’s $30. Brian’s reaction: “This is fabulous! This is so cheap for what it is.”
Then it’s on to the real jackpot. “All the stuff here you can get at Bloomingdale’s,” he says.
We’re looking for current styles – “anything English, anything tweed, anything physically soft,” he says.
Pulling stuff from different racks, Brian puts together an outfit of Diesel jeans, $36 (normally $100; “amazing!” he says); a brown suede and knit jacket for $39.97 (compared at $65); and a soft-green V-neck cashmere sweater, $50 (elsewhere $84). “How yummy is that?” he says. A wool scarf, $14.99 ($30 elsewhere), and brown suede gloves, $7.99, add nice touches.
Then he finds a brown wool and cashmere Tommy Hilfiger suit for $150 (perhaps $300 elsewhere). There’s also a khaki Kenneth Cole suit, which would go for $400, priced at $149 here. “You can’t go wrong with this,” Brian says of the suit.
Next, he spots a hound’s-tooth sport coat by Nautica, $99 ($325 elsewhere). It looks mostly green and yellow to me, but Brian spies shades of blue, taupe and ecru and pairs it with a blue Calvin Klein button-down, $19.99 ($35 elsewhere), and a beige cashmere sweater, $49.
For an evening out, he pairs a gray DKNYdress shirt, $20 ($45 elsewhere), with Calvin Klein pinstriped pants, $35.99 (the tag says to compare at $58 elsewhere). “You couldn’t be any more fashionable,” he says.
We move on to Marshalls (9140 N. Green Bay Rd.) in the same strip mall. Brian is equally pleased with what we find: plenty of zip-down sweaters – “super-fashionable” this year – and a great leather coat selection. He takes note of a Cole Haan in a classic style, $252 ($100 less than you’d find it elsewhere).
He pulls a black Reaction (a Kenneth Cole line) peacoat, just $99 ($180 in department stores); a blue Izod Indigo Prep button-down shirt for $16.99 (“preppy is still in”); and black Kenneth Cole pants for $30 ($80 elsewhere) into a cohesive outfit. He finishes it off with black National Geographic shoes, $24 (half the price they’d regularly cost).
His conclusion: “I’ve never really shopped at these discount places.
“Maybe I should start.”
COFFEE DEALS
Frequent customer deals on individual drinks and pounds of coffee.
Buy 10(espresso, coffee, tea), get one free:
Stone Creek Coffee
multiple locations
Fuel Café 818 E. Center St.
Comet Coffee Shop
1947 N. Farwell Ave.
Excludes tea.
Hi-Fi Café
2640 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Svens European Café
2699 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Lava Java 1100 S. First St.
Bremen Café
901 E. Clarke St.
Bella Caffe
189 N. Milwaukee St.
Nectar Espresso Bar & Café 708 N. Milwaukee St.
Anodyne Coffee -Roasting Company 1208 E. Brady St. Excludes tea. Formerly Brewed Awakenings.
Sherman Perk Coffee Shop 4924 N. Roosevelt Dr.
Includes smoothies.
Buy 12(espresso, coffee, tea), get one free:
Roast 2131 E. Locust St.
Schwartz’s Café
4093 N. Oakland Ave.
Steamers 624 N. Water St.
Alterra Coffee Roasters multiple locations -Double punches on Tuesdays;
includes smoothies.
Jido Café 224 W. Wells St. Includes juice.
By the Pound
Alterra Buy 12 pounds, get one free (Tuesday double punches). A full card gets you a free pound on your birthday.
Stone Creek Coffee Buy 10 half-pounds, get one free. Free small latte with a pound of coffee.
(Compiled by Julie Sensat Waldren)
BIG SALES
It’s conventional wisdomto shop end-of-the-season sales, like those we found at even high-end fashion stores like Aversa, Faye’s, Les Moise, Mark Berman & Son and Roger Stevens Menswear. Here are some other shops and companies – fashion and others – that go a step further or take sales in a different direction.
Allen-Edmonds Shoe Bank II
Watch for the June tent sale and -February’s 15 percent off sale. 18900 W. Blue Mound Rd. Suite 15, 262-785-6666; 11043 N. Port Washington Rd., Mequon, 262-241-4266; factory store: 201 E. Seven Hills Rd., Port Washington, 262-284-7158.
Broadway Paper
The time to buy at this upscale stationery store is during the back room sales, typically held in spring and late summer or early fall. Discounts are advertised at 50 to 75 percent off. Don’t wait. We went on the second day and it already seemed cleaned out. Still, we snagged some classy Valentine’s Day cards for a quarter each. Other tables of fancy invitations, photo albums and blank books were 75 percent off. 191 N. Broadway, 277-7699.
Canvasbacks
This clothing company holds several annual warehouse sales, in March, September and December. Get on the mailing list or watch for advertisements. Postcards sent out this year warned of “numbered entry on Thursday, with numbers handed out beginning at 7:30 a.m.” and “dressing rooms limited… please dress accordingly.” 224 W. Washington St., 384-4484, X-224.
Dinesen’s Leather Only
The annual warehouse sale has been going for 12 years now. It includes overstock and discontinued items (all new merchandise). In late fall, they told us there was still some stuff left that didn’t sell at that sale, and if you drive past their warehouse (4545 N. Port Washington Rd.) and the doors are open, stop in and see what’s left. 798 N. Jefferson St., 277-7747.
Goldi
This eclectic store of mostly clothing and shoes also carries candles, makeup, stationery and other household novelties. It holds a warehouse sale on Memorial Day, with merchandise discounted 30 to 80 percent. Get on the mailing list. 4114 N. Oakland Ave., 431-4832, X-3001.
Laacke and Joys Co.
The big annual sale, now going on for 50 years, is every August. The best deals are often on last season’s merchandise, but they also have some overstock items and all of the clearance stuff. The majority of the merchandise is at the Downtown location, but the others hold the sale as well. 1433 N. Water St., 271-7878; 19255 W. Blue Mound Rd., 262-782-2960; 1515 W. Mequon Rd., Mequon, 262-241-4500.
The Lang Companies
The five annual warehouse sales are a true test of endurance and patience. Lines snake around the Colonial-style building before the doors open, and your waiting doesn’t end there. Once you’ve worked your way through pallets of Christmas cards, decorative boxes, candles and the like, the checkout line awaits. Deals are considerable, advertised at 30 to 80 percent off. This fall, we found dated rectangular “keepsake -boxes” for $1 each and Christmas cards for $2 a bunch. Learn from the veterans – come prepared with your own rolling shopping cart and a buddy to stand in the last line while you snag those going-fast deals. 514 Wells St., Delafield, 262-646-5555.
Leader Paper Products – –
Paper Adventures Outlet Sale
Two annual sales take place in spring and fall in a Walker’s Point warehouse. Watch for ads or get on the mailing list. Customers snatch up scrapbooking items, envelopes and paper by the cartload. 901 S. Fifth St., 645-5760.
Peg Bradley’s Zita Fashion Boutique
This upscale women’s store sells discontinued bridal samples in late November at 25 to 75 percent less, by appointment only. Trunk shows are normally held in January; new merchandise is sold for 10 percent off when you place your order. 211 E. Silver Spring Dr., 332-0126.
Zita of Milwaukee
Discontinued bridal samples are sold at this leading fashion store in late November, to the tune of 25 to 75 percent off, preferably by appointment only. 1122 N. Astor St., 276-6827.
Bargain Shopping Tips
• Keep your coupons in your car
• Sell old stuff to consignment stores and spend the cash on new clothes
• Get on the mailing lists of stores to get advance notice of sales
• Buy an Entertainment Book. Even if you’re not big into dining, the coupons are great for groceries and fast food
• Shopper papers and junk mail are a bonanza for coupons
• Check return policies. At some places, sales are final
•Save your receipts and cash in on price adjustments if the merchandise goes on sale (within the store’s time limit)
• At grocery stores, match manufacturers’ coupons with the food on sale for even more savings
• get to know salespeople – they may tip you off to special deals and sales
• To find the best deals, shop for nothing in particular
• Don’t be wooed by low prices alone. If it’s not something you use or need, resist
Natalie Dorman is Milwaukee Magazine’s associate editor. Her last story was about the working poor. Julie Sensat Waldren is a Milwaukee Magazine intern.
