Four good reasons to shop Shakopee

Last update: November 12, 2008 - 4:52 PM

Head to Shakopee for three great sales and an event. The event, Canterbury Park Arts & Crafts Affair (www.canterburypark.com, 952-445-7223), continues through Sunday ($8 admission). The three sales offer free admission.

At the North Aire Market warehouse sale (1157 Valley Park Dr. S., Shakopee, 952-496-2887, www.northairemarket.com), Maggie's and Mary's dry gourmet soups ($4 on sale) and cheese ball mixes (about $3), smoothie and mousse mixes sell for 40 percent less at the sale than at suppliers such as upscale grocery stores. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Only cash and checks are accepted.

Gage and Gage warehouse sale is the time to stock up on gift wrap, gift bags, gift boxes, napkins and holiday merchandise. Sample 40 to 90 percent savings: shopping bags from 10 cents to 50 cents each, Italian holiday boxes three for $6, bows for 5 or 10 cents, low-end closeout gift wrap for 75 cents a roll, high-end European gift wrap $8 (regularly $20), and high-end three-ply napkins for $1.50 (20-count). The sale is at 660 Industrial Circle, 952-403-1193, www.gagewarehousesale.com, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The sale continues Dec. 5-6.

Dianne's Candles sale includes closeout and overrun candles, all locally made with soy, wax and high-quality wicks. Some are infused with complex fragrances and normally sell for $30 to $50 in specialty stores ($5 without the box at the sale). Most items will be about $5, with prices ranging from $1 to $30 for the candles, as well as Thymes gift sets ($10, regularly $30), costume jewelry, reed diffusers and packaged foods and cookie dough mixes all discounted about 75 percent. The sale runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the VFW (1201 3rd Av. E., Shakopee, 952-746-5530).

A weekend for sample sales

Nordstrom Rack brings in many more shoes in large sizes for men and women during its large-size shoe event. It starts Saturday at 9 a.m. for women's sizes 10 1/2 to 13 and men's sizes 14-16. Dressy, casual and athletic styles will be available. Lonnie Lovness jewelry and accessories sample sale will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 450 N. Main St., Stillwater, 651-430-2234, www.lonnielovness.com. Save 50 to 70 percent on necklaces, bracelets, earrings and beads. A sample sale at Glenrose Bridal (10100 6th Av. N., Plymouth, 763-591-9333, www.glenrosebridal.com) will include more than 120 gowns discounted 50 percent. The small businesses at 50th and Xerxes in south Minneapolis offer a wonderful chance to support a thriving neighborhood shopping district with 20 percent off at retailers Saturday and Sunday. Call 612-925-2400. The Sample It sale next week offers wonderful deals for juniors and young men, including brands such as Billabong, Hurley, Volcom and Quiksilver. Fleece and jackets start at $20, tees at $8, and women's sportswear, sweaters, denim, activewear and accessories. The sale runs from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and continues through Thursday at the Days Inn, 7851 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, 612-377-6967.

John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633 or jewoldt@startribune.com.