Home furnishings studio discounts everything 50 percent Most home furnishings occasional sales are held once a month, but Historic Studio (4950 W. 35th St., Mpls., 952-933-9924, www.historicstudio.com) enhances the exclusivity by opening to the public only once a year and discounting everything 50 percent. Owner Robb Whittlef, formerly of Sticks & Stones and the Great Estate Sale, describes the designer's showroom of new and vintage pieces as "the coolest place you've never shopped."

It's a wide range of prices, including accessories under $50, distressed leather chairs for $700, and large-scale pieces from India, Asia, South America and Europe for thousands. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. All sales are final.

Winter clothing discounts -- 80 percent, 90 percent or free Better deals come to those who wait, especially winter clothing in February. At Pumpz (3355 Galleria, Edina, 952-926-2252) all fall shoes and accessories for women will be discounted 79 percent through Sunday.

GH2 (318 E. Hennepin, Mpls., 612-378-0509) will have a 90 percent off sale Friday and Saturday. Clothing and accessories at the upscale boutique include women's consignment and new fall/winter pieces from Grethen House in Edina. Prices after the discount will range from $5 to $450 on pieces from Rag and Bone, Comme des Garcons, Stella McCartney and Chunky sweaters.

Still not in your budget? Try the winter clothing clearance bag sale at Steeple People Surplus (2004 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls., 612-871-8305). Everything that can be placed in a bag is $5 on Thursday, $3 Friday, $1 Saturday until 2 p.m. and free after that. The sale includes men's, women's and kids' clothes, shoes, purses and belts but not lingerie or socks. Spring wardrobe items debut Monday at the thrift store.

Rare dining deals at local restaurants I don't know of a better way to save money at some of the Twin Cities' best restaurants than during Mpls.St.Paul magazine's restaurant week Feb. 26 to March 2. Participating restaurants present specially priced meals for lunch ($10 to $20), dinner ($15 to $30) or both. Spots such as Lurcat, Capital Grille, Fogo de Chao, Masa, Oceanaire, Red Stag, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Saffron and Vincent rarely, if ever, offer other discounts. For details go to www.mspmag.com/restaurantweek.

Storewide sale extended at Menards Menards extended its 11 percent off everything sale through Sunday. For the best savings, stack the discounts on items already on sale or clearance. But bargain hunters can't triple the discount by shopping at the Richfield store, where everything is an additional 10 percent off during the "closing for remodeling" sale. Only clearance items get the extra discount, not weekly sale items. The 11 percent discount is in the form of a mail-in rebate. Home Depot also honors the 11 percent discount if you bring in the flier. Earlier this week, Home Depot was giving an immediate discount on some transactions and a gift card with the 11 percent savings on others, depending on the cashier.

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