AliShopsBlog.com - The Twin Cities Shopping Blog

Who needs the BabyGap clearance rack when you've got moms staging mass consignment sales? Spoiled Little Rascals opens its spring sale at the Eagan Community Center today featuring around 25,000 gently used items from more than 150 sellers. Meanwhile, a Just Between Friends kids and maternity consignment sale is going on today through Saturday at Southdale Center in Edina. For both, consignors pay a small participation fee and a percentage of profits and in return, they avoid the hassles of setting up and advertising their own garage sale. Is this the way to go? I've got many boxes of outgrown boys clothes I'm itching to get out of my basement, but every time I even contemplate a garage sale, I need a nap. Spoiled Little Rascals Eagan sale runs 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Today and Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $1 Thursday only (free with a non-perishable food donation to charity.) Just Between Friends in Edina is 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

MODE has delivered what it promised since opening in Maple Grove: brand name, brand new apparel, accessories and beauty goods at outlet prices. Owner Ciara Stockeland has been planning a bigger, better, more polished boutique setting across the street from the current shop on Main Street and finally, she's ready to open there on April 1, and market the store as the "Home of the $40 designer jean." Think that's a deal? Mark the calendar: for the first three days, the first 40 customers in the store will get a pair of jeans for free. Details here.

Grand Avenue institution My Sister's Closet is bringing its mix of consignment and vintage...to Uptown! The sisters felt the retail-heavy neighborhood was missing a great resale store and they plan to fill that void with a second location. The store at 2741 Hennepin Ave. is scheduled to open - and begin accepting merchandise - Feb. 1. Watch AliShops.com for details on grand opening events.

Minnesota finally gets a Chico's Outlet next week. It is scheduled to open Tuesday, Oct. 27 at Albertville Premium Outlets. The front half of the store will feature merchandise made exclusively for the outlet including a line called Additions by Chico's - same look; lower price. In back is where you'll find the real deals: 30 to 75 percent off (sometimes more) past season merchandise. Opening specials include $2.99 for white pants and an extra 30 percent off already marked down apparel.

Designer deals can come from the unlikeliest of places: like Fargo, N.D. Their prized shop MODE is opening its second outlet on Main Street in Maple Grove on Oct. 14. The store sells brand new designer overstock at 50 percent off - think premium denim, luxury handbags and trendy casual apparel for women as well as men, children and some maternity. I spoke to the enthusiastic owner and it sounds like she's prepared to open with a bang. Watch for grand opening details on AliShops.com.

Another Look consignment boutique at 50th and Xerxes in South Minneapolis is out of business. The message when you call the store blames "disappointing holiday sales, rising costs and the poor economic climate." The only surprise is that those very conditions have been said to make the market ripe for consignment shopping, with more shoppers looking for deals and cleaning out their own closets to make some spending money. Consigning is suddenly chic, and "green." The past few months have seen the opening of several new Twin Cities consignment stores, including June in Minneapolis, Karma Clothing Co. in Stillwater and Boomerang Kids in Hudson. Let's hope they fare better. South Minneapolis is home to several other popular consignment shops (which could have been part of the problem for Another Look), including Nu Look and Fashion Avenue.

New Minneapolis designer consignment boutique June really is a lovely space - you'd never know the merch has been worn. But I was surprised to learn from the owner that people are buying, but they're not selling. You'd think it would be the reverse in this economy. I finally got my act together and brought some maternity apparel in to Nine - what fun to receive checks in the mail, $35 here; $45 there. Check your closet. You're sure to find lovely things you just never wear and rather than waiting for the day that will never come, make some money. June is looking for gently worn better or designer garments, shoes and accessories from the last couple of years. To find more Twin Cities consignment shops, click here.
And when the checks start rolling in, try to avoid blowing your earnings on yet another ill-fitting dress.