<p>I’m not talking about outlet malls, but true factory/distribution outlets. Usually these are not well organized, kinda “dirty” and you have to spend a long time digging through junk to find the goods…like $2 name brand tees, $4 leather bags, $.25 socks, etc.</p>
<p>I know of a couple JCPenney outlets in Columbus, OH & Forest Park, GA that are OK, and a great GAP/Banana Republic/Old Navy outlet in Hebron, KY (we can buy bags and bags for $50!)</p>
<p>I know that often the stores at the Tanger, Prime, Premium, etc. outlets have great prices (like Nike, for example) but I’m looking for those hidden word-of-mouth ones that makes me feel like I really worked for my savings :-)</p>
<p>Also in Columbus Ohio, the Eddie Bauer outlet/warehouse is pretty good. It used to be REALLY good years ago - the last time I was there (a couple of years ago) there was still one part of it that had really limited hours but some GREAT buys- I remember buying beach towels for like $5 and some beach chairs with the sun cover on top for around $10. </p>
<p>I need to go there again. :)</p>
<p>Great idea for a thread. I sometimes love to have the luxury of shopping just for the good buy - not because I’m looking for something in particular, but the adventure of the hunt.</p>
<p>There’s a Lenox warehouse at the Cranberry exit off of the NJ Tpke. They have warehouse sales a few times a year…and that’s where the real bargains are. The regular outlet store there is open year round, but has the same stuff as the Lenox stores in the outlet malls.</p>
<p>Danforth Pewter in Middlebury Vt. Not a place to “dig” through, but it’s the manufacturing site and they have some beautiful things. Occasionally there is a good deal on an item.</p>
<p>New Balance Factory Outlet in Allston/Brigton MA. They used to make the shoes in the building adjacent to the Factory Outlet. The Factory Outlet moved to another building nearby. Deals are still good though.</p>
<p>15 years ago Woolrich in Pennsylvania was a true factory outlet - I have no idea if it is there anymore. Bates mill in Lewiston (used to make Bates bedspreads) was open a few years ago, too. </p>
<p>As manufacturing moves overseas, so do the true factory outlets.</p>
<p>Not an everyday occurrence, but Homer Laughlin in WV has a big sale of Fiestaware every June, where you can dig through random pieces (some are scratched, etc) and get great deals.</p>
<p>I think All-Clad has something similar in June somewhere south of Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>The Williams Sonoma outlet in Leesburg, VA often has AllClad cookware (some seconds, some not) at excellent prices. A few weeks ago, all the open stock stainless steel stuff was 50% off, which rivals the once a year AllClad sale in PA.
In addition, they often have many of the same items currently in the retail stores at a fraction of the cost. If you love WS, you should absolutely check it out.</p>
<p>^Awww! I missed the WS sale! Crud Such a great store and worth the drive if you are anywhere near. They have some great sales on their regular outlet prices. All of my small counter appliances were bought there for 50% off outlet prices. There is also a nice Pottery Barn outlet there that can have great sales if you hit it right. My entire office is a beautiful hardwood set (no particle board), slight dent n/ scratch, for 75% off the catalog price.</p>
<p>Joblue…I’ve been to that WS sale. That’s how I managed to change my cookware when we got our induction cooktop. The LeCreuset store is right across from it as well! </p>
<p>There is a Joseph A. Banks outlet in Hampstead Maryland. It was quite good many years ago (I think you could get a white button down for $5 or $10), and my husband says it’s still pretty good. It did not have a retail feel - truly warehouse like. I don’t know if that’s changed.</p>
<p>There was as store in BelAir Maryland called Cmart which was legendary. They bought high end clothing, shoes, handbags, linens, etc from store closings and fire sales. They got into furniture and went belly up about 18 months ago.</p>
<p>pumpkin- Amazing how you can be a native (and an avid shopper before my kids zapped all disposable income) and never hear of something like Cmart. I would not have been local per se, but info like that tends to travel over the tri-state area. Sounds like it was great. The Joe Banks may be worth a trip. S1 & S2 need a few professional things but I don’t want to break the bank.</p>
<p>I was able to afford some nice decor from Pottery Barn/WS when we moved a few years ago on those 50% off sales. We have the velvet panels (lined) in two rooms that I picked up for $30/piece. They are 96" long, hung on rings so they are long enough to hang over a transom window.</p>
<p>Tuesday Morning is a very hit or miss, but you can really find a gem once in a while. I found silk panels (lined) for $70/pair a couple of years ago. They generally get ‘door busters’ of big name items every few weeks. You can find nice linens if you are willing to dig.</p>
<p>Hi Blue, Cmart was one of those great things gone wrong by new management/ownership. They were famous for literally hand written (scrawled) ads in the Baltimore Sun detailing that week’s ‘finds’ and upcoming expected shipments. They had a large retail space, dingy, with no frills. Enter the new management…moved into larger quarters, started getting furniture, opened another store in Chevy Chase, ran television ads…then went bankrupt. The furniture was outstanding (henkel harris, hickory chair, baker, bizarre one of a kind pieces you could only fit in an estate, high end contemporary). They would get leftovers from those large manufacturer’s shows. So sad it is gone…</p>
<p>Call Jos. A Banks before you make a trip and ask what’s there now. (410) 239-6348</p>
<p>Pendleton Woolen Mills has an outlet at their mill in Washougal WA. It’s off the beaten path; the only time I ever get over there is (was) during the state high school soccer playoffs, but it’s always fun. They have clothing, accessories, yardage and blankets. There’s also a Pendleton outlet in Portland that has some good deals on fabric and blankets at times.</p>
<p>Overstock in Salt Lake City - 4 hours a week only 10-2 on Saturday. It is pretty hit or miss, but I have gotten a Vera Bradley bag for only $10.</p>
<p>I just thought about another one: there is a Bosca Leather outlet in Springfield, OH. I remember about twice a year my grandmother going there for big clearance sales and stocking up on wallets and such for her “gift” closet.</p>
<p>There is a store, Mendelson’s, in Dayton, OH that sounds a lot like Cmart. I’ve never been there, just heard about it.</p>
<p>Although not an outlet - the unclaimed baggage store in Alabama warrants a mention.</p>
<p>Talbots has a few “clearance” stores where I’ve gotten remarkable deals. They have leftovers and returns from their regular (full-price) stores. The closest one to me is in Orange, CT. I’ve gotten winter coats for $79, knit shirts for $10, leather belts for $8.</p>
<p>AllClad sale is twice a year near Pittsburgh. There is a sale Dec 6. I have never been to it but my husband who loves to shop for bargains usually goes to both sales each year. We frequently give AllClad as wedding gifts to people that we know will appreciate it.</p>
<p>Please use old threads (this one is over three years old) for reference purposes only. If you wish to start a new discussion on the topic, please open a new thread.</p>
Such a great store and worth the drive if you are anywhere near. They have some great sales on their regular outlet prices. All of my small counter appliances were bought there for 50% off outlet prices. There is also a nice Pottery Barn outlet there that can have great sales if you hit it right. My entire office is a beautiful hardwood set (no particle board), slight dent n/ scratch, for 75% off the catalog price.</p>