Blu Dot marks the spot for big warehouse sale

Blu Dot marks the spot for big warehouse sale You can tell that contemporary furniture retailer Blu Dot loves its customers when the employees bring free coffee and doughnuts to the scores of fans waiting in line an hour or more before the doors open. It's all for the much anticipated annual warehouse sale, which takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the new location (13098 George Weber Dr., Rogers, 612-782-1844, www.bludot.com).

The space devoted to the sale has doubled -- more room for sofas, credenzas, storage, dressers, shelving, bedroom items, dining tables and chairs, desks and occasional chairs. Newbies, don't worry that you won't know where to head in the crush when the doors open -- maps of the floor plan will be handed out along with the usual "all-items-as-is-final-sale-no-warranty."

Go early. The sale attracts Blu Dot aficionados from as far away as Chicago and Des Moines, said spokeswoman Medora Danz. Part of the appeal is the hope of nabbing a one-of-a-kind prototype that never made it to the catalog. Discounts range from 50 to 90 percent, with prices of $10 to $1,000 after the discount.

One sharp knife sale Eversharp (344 SE. Taft St., Mpls., 612-379-1300, www.ever sharpknives.com), the Wüsthof factory-authorized store, is having a tent sale through Saturday. The store sells new and reconditioned Wüsthof, Shun (limited reconditioned stock) and Forschner by Victorinox. A new Wüsthof Black Classic 6-inch serrated knife ($35, regularly $90) works well for bread and tomatoes. A reconditioned Black Classic 7-inch Santoku is $60, regularly $140. Knife-sharpening specials during the sale include $1 per knife for regular blades, $2 for serrated, $2.50 for scissors and $3 for most lawn-mower blades and garden tools. Knives are sharpened while you wait (limit 10), but mower blades and tools can be picked up the next day.

Feel better for less CenterPoint Massage School in Dinkytown (1313 SE. 5th St., Mpls., 612-617-9090, www.centerpointmn.com/special-offer.shtml) offers one of its best deals Friday through Monday. It normally charges $40 for a 60-minute massage, but you can print a $10 off coupon at the site above to sweeten the deal. I've gotten a dozen massages there and have always been satisfied, but here's the rub: All clients are worked on in a large room, separated by glorified shower curtains. Yes, it's totally private, but you can hear others' conversations. It's disconcerting the first time, but people try to talk in soft tones and New Age music masks it.

One other nit: Parking in the adjoining lot costs about $1.50 per hour, but park free on the street within a block or two. Deep tissue, full-body Swedish and Shiatsu massages are offered. You can specify a male or female student, but it might make getting a specific appointment time more difficult. Coming later this month: spa clinic massages, including aromatherapy, salt and sugar exfoliation, heated stones, foot relaxation and paraffin baths. Some of the spa sessions are 75 minutes, so prices are slightly higher.

June specials at the Minnesota School of Beauty (20186 Heritage Dr., Lakeville, 952-469-4545, www. mnschoolofbeauty.com) include basic pedicures for $11, back facials $15, and haircuts with shampoo and blow dry $8.

John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633 or jewoldt@startribune.com. If you spot a deal, share it at www.startribune.com/blogs/dealspotter.