One of the best gestures of goodwill that any retail brand can offer is a great sale. Give us a sale that we brag about to our friends for years. Like the Dayton's warehouse sale (yes, I know Dayton's is long gone but I can still remember this deal.). I got a Stearns & Foster twin-sized mattress set from Dayton's warehouse sale for $79 that was regularly about $700. More recently, women are still asking me when Lululemon is bringing back its warehouse sale held last year at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Everything was 50 percent off or more and many customers came close to buying the limit of 25 items.

Faribault Woolen Mill is this week's sale that's truly a sale. The iconic, venerable brand is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. Friday and Saturday (Sept. 25-26) the company continues the celebration with a tent sale. Everything is at least 50 percent off and some up to 75 percent. More than 14,000 items, including blankets, throws, scarves, and accessories are discounted. About 20% are seconds, but the flaw is always identified and, in my opinion, very minor.

Nearly all of the items are 100% wool. Wool will last and last, especially with Faribault's quality and attention to detail. But the raw material isn't cheap and the company pays decent wages at its Minnesota factory.

If you're used to paying $30 for a queen sized cotton or poly blanket, this sale may not be for you. Even WalMart.com charges $158 for a Merino wool blanket. These are the kinds of items to use for years or give as a keepsake gift.

Here are discounted prices: blankets $35 to $150, throws starting at $25, scarves starting at $20, and accessories such as smartphone covers and coffee sleeves for $5. Bruce Bildsten, chief marketing officer at Faribault, said that items will be restocked throughout the sale. "Last year we ran out of scarves and queen-sized blankets. We're trying to make sure that doesn't happen this year," he said. "This will be by far the biggest sale we've had since we re-opened in 2011."

The sale isn't a true tent sale--it's held in the warehouse at 1500 NW 2nd Av. in Faribault, about 50 minutes south of Minneapolis.

Friday's hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday's are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 507-412-5510 with questions.