Wednesday, November 25, 2009

It's going to be a Black, Black Friday

by Jahna Peloquin

Here at l'étoile, we wholeheartedly believe in penny-pinching. But what we're not a fan of? Getting up at the crack of 4 a.m. to wait in a line in the cold the day after gorging ourselves on turkey and libations. So we're here to encourage you to avoid the mall (and the stampedes) and instead, shop local this Black Friday.

[Blacklist Vintage. Image by Kate Iverson/Digital Crush]

One of our fave vintage stores, Blacklist Vintage, is hosting the appropriately-named
Blacklist Friday event. They're taking 10 percent off storewide, and offering gift wrapping on jewelry and small items with 1960s paper. (Noon-7 p.m. 2 E. 27th St., Mpls. i612-872-8552.)

Another vintage shop we frequent, Tatters, is taking 25 percent off everything in the store - hats, winterwear, vintage dresses and suits, leather jackets, and more. (2829 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls. 612-823-5285.)

[A fall 2009 look by Alice + Olivia at Bumbershute]

High-end boutique 50th & France boutique Bumbershute is taking 20 percent off everything, including Opening Ceremony, D&G, and Alice + Olivia. (10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat. 5014 France Ave. S., Edina. 952-475-2684.)

Stock up on art supplies at Utrecht, which is offering 40 percent off all paint, canvas and paper products. (7:30 a.m.-noon. 1601 Hennepin Ave., Mpls. 612-339-5024.)

Uptown boutiques Drama and Covered will be taking 30 percent off all apparel and handbags from 10 a.m. to noon; after noon, save 20 percent on the same items throughout the weekend. Bonus: Covered is serving beer, wine, and cider all weekend long. (10 a.m.-5 p.m. Through Sun. Drama, 1203 Lagoon Ave., Mpls. 612-338-9423. Covered, 1201 Lagoon Ave., Mpls. 612-825-1610.)

[A look from Picky Girl]

All regular priced clothing and shoes at trendy Grand Avenue shop Picky Girl will be 50 percent off. Discounts will continue through the weekend. (10 a.m.-6 p.m. Through Sun. 949 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 651-698-4107.)

Get a free b.tempt’d thong with any purchase at lingerie boutique Flirt, and receive a coupon for a free cupcake at the nearby Sweets Bakeshop. (10 a.m.-7 p.m. 177 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul. 651-698-3692.)

[Collectible Dunnys from ROBOTlove]

ROBOTlove will offer 20% discounts in different areas of the store, changing every hour on the hour. Including designer toys, housewares, books, clothing and more. Load up on Dunny stocking stuffers! No restrictions or limits on sale items -- here's lookin' at you, rabid toy collectors. (open 11am-8pm, 2648 Lyndale Avenue S., Minneapolis. 612-871-9393)

Stephanie's is taking 20 percent off everything, and they'll also have a few racks of 50 percent off merchandise. (Opens 10 a.m. Fri. Through Sun. 5005 France Ave., Mpls. 612-929-2087 & 758 Cleveland Ave. S., St. Paul. 651-690-3802.)

[BlackBlue in St. Paul]

BlackBlue, our fave new local boutique - and probably the hippest men's boutique in the Twin Cities - is taking 10 percent off everything in store. Check out new arrivals from Hyden Yoo, Fred Perry and more. (Noon-9 p.m. 614 Selby Ave., St. Paul. http://www.blkblu.com/)

Head to Len Druskin Outlet for bigger deals than ever. "Len Busters" include items starting at $2.50, and for every $25 you spend, you'll receive a ticket for hourly drawings for $100 gift certificates. (5 a.m.-1 p.m. Southdale, main level, Edina. 952-920-0472.)

Take 30 percent of everything at European-styled shop Il Vostro Boutique, including dreses, denim, jewelry, handbags and more all weekend long. (10 a.m.-6 p.m. Through Sun. 5045 France Ave. S., Edina. 612-920-3167.) [Dolce Vita flats at Ladyslipper]

The owners of Bluebird Boutique and and its sister shoe store Ladyslipper are offering 20 percent off through the weekend. (8 a.m. in Maple Grove and 10 a.m. in Edina on Fri. through Sun. Edina open until 8 p.m. on Sat. Bluebird Boutique, 3909 W. 50th St., Edina. 952-746-8675 & Blubird at The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, 12459 Elm Creek Blvd., Maple Grove. 763-315-6524. Ladyslipper, 4940 France Ave., Edina. 952-224-1900.)

Selby & Snelling shop A. Michele is offering 20 percent off your total purchase, and if you spend $150, you can receive a $20 gift card for your next purchase. (11 a.m. Through Sun. 1591 Selby Ave., St. Paul. 651-917-6966.)

[Plastic Island winter coat at Belle Reve]

Here's some motivation to get up early on Firday: the first 30 customers to spend $75 or more at Belle Reve receive a set of glitzy bangles. (10 a.m.-7 p.m. 320 E. Hennepin Ave., Mpls. 612-333-3148.)

During the holiday kickoff sale at Birch, take 20 percent off any regular priced item. In addition, you can take 25 percent off two items, 30 percent off three or more, and an extra 10 percent off clearance. (11 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri. Through Sun. 2309 W. 50th St., Mpls. 612-436-0776.)

Save 20 percent on all outerwear at trendy women's and men's clothing shop Atmosfere. Cocktails will be served Saturday. (10 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri. Through Sun. 1426 W. Lake St., Mpls. 612-332-0381.)

Eco-friendly beauty shop StormSister Spatique will help you get your fix on luxe, healthful beauty products with 25 percent off everything. (10 a.m.-5 p.m. 635 Smith Ave. S., St. Paul. 651-221-4668.)

[A look from Drama]

Uptown boutique Drama is offering deals on all apparel and accessories, including circle scarves, one-of-a-kind jewelry, and trendy tops, dresses and denim. From 10 a.m. to noon, take 30 percent off; after that, take 20 percent off through the weekend. (10 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri. Through Sun. 1203 Lagoon Av., Mpls. 612-338-9423.)

Also in Uptown, high-end clothing and accessories boutique Ivy is taking 25 percent off almost everything. Bonus: Spend over $250 and receive a $50 gift card toward your next purchase of $200 or more. (11 a.m.-8 p.m. 1440 W. Lake St., Mpls. 612-827-2764.)

Shoe boutique Pumpz & Company is kicking off its ongoing holiday sale on Black Friday, taking 30 percent off all fall merchandise from designers such as Mulberry, Stuart Weitzmann, Pons Quintana and more. (9 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri. 3335 Galleria, Edina. 952-926-2252.)

[Opitz Outlet. Images by Kate Iverson for l'étoile agency]

Our favorite designer discounter, Opitz Outlet, has already started its Black Friday sale early. The store is freshly stocked and loaded with deals. (10 a.m.-6 p.m. 4320 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park. 952-929-8715.)

One of the hottest men's stores in town, Elsworth Menswear, is taking 25 percent off everything, and when you buy a regular priced item you'll get the second (of equal or lesser value) for 50 percent off. Also: take an additional 10 percent off clearance items. Get there early for mimosas and pastries
! (7 a.m.-7 p.m. Highland Bank Court, 811 LaSalle Ave., Mpls. 612-339-0763.)

Treadle Yard Goods is having its biggest sale ever. They're taking 20 percent off all fabric, plus an extra 20 percent off already discounted merchandise. That includes major pattern lines and trunk show merchandise. (10 a.m.-6 p.m. Through Sun. 1338 Grand Ave., St. Paul. 651-698-9690.)

Every Friday through December 18, Gaviidae Common is hosting its Gaviidae Indoor Artist Market. Check out goods from local artists and artisans. While you’re there, be sure to swing by all-local pop-up shops MNfashion and Twice the Gift. (10 a.m.-8 p.m. 651 Nicollet Mall, Mpls. 612-465-8899.)

[Lucky Lola Designs]

You can stay indoors and still save on Friday with local jewelry designer Lucky Lola Designs. The handmade line is having an online sale, offering 20 percent off her necklaces made from materials such as semi-precious gemstones, shells and glass through November 30. To take advantage of this offer, simply type "MNsale" into the "Message to Seller" box on the Etsy Checkout page and you will be refunded 20 percent of your purchase through PayPal. (luckyloladesigns.etsy.com)

Score secondhand records and electronics at sizable discounts at Shuga Records' Black Friday event. All used media will be 50 percent off, and electronics at 30 percent off. They'll also be having live music in-store performances by the likes of Red Daughters, Megachurch, and six other groups beginning at 5 p.m. (10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Free. All ages. 223 4th Ave. NE., Mpls. http://www.shugarecords.com/)

["Black Friday" t-shirt design by Senza]

After a full day of shopping, dance it out at the Black Friday Art Show at the Loft at Barfly. On deck aer graffiti body painting, visual projections and light show, installation skate park, art gallery, and DJs Big Zach, Parallax, Longshot, and more all night. But we're mainly going to snag a limited edition, live screen-printed "Black Friday" t-shirt by our pals in Anthem Heart for 10 smackers. (7 p.m.-2 a.m. $7-10. 18-plus. The Loft at Barfly, 711 Hennepin Ave., Mpls. 612-333-6100.)

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