Shopping 411

The who, what, when, and where of some favorite resources.

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The trouble with “secret” shopping resources is foragers love to brag. Let’s be honest, when you find that one rare 19th century lamp or those designer shoes for half the regular price, recounting the tale of acquisition is nearly as satisfying as the purchase itself. But it pays to know the ins and outs of some favorite haunts—and perhaps check out a few new ones.

Room & Board Weekend Outlet. Go on Sunday! Most shoppers assume first-thing Saturday morning is the best shot at grabbing fresh markdowns. Odds are actually just as good (if not better) on Sunday, when the outlet is restocked—and the crowd tends to be lighter. 4600 Olson Memorial Hwy., Golden Valley, roomandboard.com

Architectural Antiques. Beyond the showstoppers—old barn doors, marble mantles, ornate chandeliers—Architectural Antiques has a staggering assortment of hardware for old homes. Need a specific nob or nail? Ask! They’ll track it down. And if you’re planning a party for the ages: The 25,000-square-foot turn-of-the-century warehouse can be rented out. 1330 Quincy St. NE, Mpls., 612-332-8344, archantiques.com

Sven Factory Outlet Store. The answer is yes. It is worth it to make the 40-minute drive north of the Twin Cities to Chisago City to buy your wooden-heeled Swedish clogs in person. Sven is a low-key darling of the fashion world, frequently showing up on runways and the big screen. The iconic No.6 style can sell for more than $200—especially in swanky boutiques. Sven offers closeout deals online, but often the discounts are even better at the factory store. For example, the low-heel clog was recently on sale for $185 online, but we’ve seen it for $89 in store. That more than makes up for gas money. Go on a weekday to shop in peace. 10,000 Lake Blvd., Chisago City, 651-257-4591, svensclogs.com

Gh2. For first dibs on designer deals, shop on Monday or Tuesday, when new merchandise tends to hit the racks at this Northeast women’s outlet and designer consignment store run by Grethen House. 318 Hennepin Ave. E., Mpls., 612-378-0509, shopgh2.com

Hoigaard’s. Performance skiers buy their boots from Chris, Jim, or Brian. This veteran A-team is known to do a lot of custom work on ski boots, from reshaping foot beds to adding heat. You don’t need a medal to shop with one of them; you just need to be savvy enough to call ahead for an appointment. 5425 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park, 952-929-1351, hoigaards.com

Abdallah Candies Factory Store. Every month, one popular candy is 40 to 45 percent off. You can always find out the current special online—February is Peanut Butter Caramel Crisp. The deals are actually set as far as a year out, so if you want to know what’s coming up, just ask. (March is chocolate mints.) Coming this year, more of a sweet thing—a second manufacturing facility and factory store in Apple Valley. 3501 Co. Rd. 42 W., Burnsville, 952-890-4770, abdallahcandies.com

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