The best day to shop thrift stores such as Unique,and Valu Thrift is on a holiday. Everything is 50 percent off. parking lots are packed but may have died down by late afternoon/early evening. Unique Thrift Stores are located in Burnsville, Columbia Heights, New Hope, St. Paul and the sister store, Valu Thrift is in Sun Ray Center in St. Paul, 651-702-5920).
Albertville Premium Outlets has a number of good sales. A few that end today include: jockey: an additional 20 percent off when buying 6 or more items, Le Crueset: An additional 25 percent off virtually the entire store. Petite Sophisticate: Forty percent off the entire store.
Dining deal: if you like to eat at independent restaurants including Afton House Inn, Ike's, Lake Elmo Inn, Luci Ancora, Murray's, Spill the Wine, St. Claire Broiler and Thistles, plant yourself in front of your computer at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning (Oct. 13, 2009). Go to TC Originals. The gift certs are discounted 30 percent ($35 for a $50 certificate or $17.50 for a $25 cert).
The discount isn't as deep as at Restaurant.com but there isn't as much fine print. But you can't use the Twin Cities Originals certs on alcohol, tax or gratuity. Only one cert can be used per table per visit. Cannot be used on holidays.
Only about 10 to 20 certs are available at each price point per restaurant so by 10:20 a.m. or so, the best ones are gone. But don't worry about a hefty mailing fee. You print the certs out yourself--no mailing fee.
