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You can't swing a strappy sundress without hitting a sample sale for clothing. But sample sales of garden accessories at wholesale prices or below are rare. I know of only two, and both are excellent. The first, BlueStone Garden, takes place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 1200 Mendelssohn Av. N., Golden Valley (612-309-7465; www.bluestonegarden.com). It includes many of the same items as the sale two years ago, including a wide selection of Wolf-Garten garden tools discounted 50 to 70 percent. I bought some at the last sale and highly recommend them.
The German-made system -- a great space saver -- uses handles of varying lengths with interchangeable heads such as rakes, cultivators and weeders. Other deals include rain barrels with a stand and faucet ($50, regularly $130) and indoor shelves from BlueStone Shelving ($1 to $3, regularly $16 to $40 at www.bluestoneshelves.com). A second garden sample sale will take place at the end of May. Stay tuned.
More sample sales - this time for clothing Sample sale season is here. The Sample It sale (Days Inn, 7851 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, 612-377-6967, www.sampleitsale.com) will have spring samples for juniors and young men as well as women's and men's. Brands include Billabong, Volcom, Hurley and Quiksilver. T-shirts will be $7 to $15, denim $20 to $25, board shorts $18 to $26, sweatshirts $18 to $36, handbags $14 to $22 and hats $8 to $12. The samples, which are from 2010 spring and summer lines, are about 60 percent off retail prices. Hours are 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, when items will be an additional 25 percent off.
Does an 80 percent discount get your attention? That's the markdown on men's, women's and kids' sleepwear, loungewear, T-shirts and sweatshirts at the Creative Apparel Concepts sample sale. The wholesale company skipped a sale last year, but it has brought back $4 nightshirts, $2 slippers, $5 lounge pants, $3 shorts, $2 stuffed animals, $5-$8 collegiate sweatshirts and $2 T-shirts. Sizes range from small to XXXL (men's). The quality ranges from Wal-Mart to Nordstrom. Hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. The sale continues Monday through May 8, when Twins fans going to nearby Target Field can check out deals before the game. It's at 800 Washington Av. N., Suite 124, Mpls., 612-843-1845, www.creativeapparel concepts.com.
Uber Outlet is closing Uber Outlet (6021 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls, 612-869-0930, www.uberbaby.com) will close Saturday. Every item has taken final markdowns. All maternity and women's clothes and baby apparel are $10 each, a savings of 20 to 80 percent off previous outlet prices. A Liz Lange maternity dress, for example, that was $150 and discounted to $50 will be $10. Men's apparel is 75 to 90 percent off, including suits, ties, pants, shirts and vests. Blankets and bath towels are $2. Co-owner Lynne Gonsior says the best deals are on the 50 pairs of kids' shoes ($10 each, values to $65) that never went on sale. The Uber Baby store has moved to Shops at West End in St. Louis Park. Gonsior plans to replace the outlet with four-day occasional sales in the summer. Get on the mailing list online for notification.
John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633 or jewoldt@startribune.com. If you spot a deal, share it at www.startribune.com/blogs/dealspotter.
