Cooks of Crocus Hill annual garage sale

Cooks have lots to savor with huge sale by Cooks Those hoping that a food fight will break out at the Cooks of Crocus Hill annual garage sale will probably be disappointed, because the organizers of the popular event are taking precautions: no holds, no fights and no returns, according to the rules. Those attending the brawl, er, sale (877 Grand Av., St. Paul, 651-228-1333, www.cooksofcrocushill .com) will find savings of 50 to 80 percent on cookware, food, gadgets, towels, dishes and cookbooks. Special items include butcher-block tables from the Edina store ($500 each, regularly $1,300), plenty of cookware samples from major vendors and slow-selling items dropped from the stores. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday under the tent behind the store.

Made for baby in USA Lynne Gonsior, co-owner of Über Baby at the Shops at West End (1628 West End Blvd., St Louis Park, 612-869-0930, www.uberbaby.com), has introduced a moderately priced, private-label line of kids' clothing (newborn to 18 months). What makes the line special is that it's U.S.-made. It's difficult to find baby clothes made domestically, let alone at reasonable prices. Gonsior's line of solid-colored shirts, onesies, pants and rompers are $16 to $19. "I used a high grade of soft cotton in fashion-forward colors," she said. "It's not fussy -- good day-care wear."

Storewide sales During Electric Fetus' anniversary sale (2000 4th Av. S., Mpls., 612-870-9300, www.electricfetus.com) through Sunday, nearly everything is 20 percent off. It's also a good time to unload any CDs or DVDs you want to sell. You'll get less than you would selling them at Half.com, but it's quick. Items not discounted include anything already on sale, tickets and custom-made CDs and downloads.

Creative Kidstuff (seven locations, 952-540-0022, www. creativekidstuff.com) discounts all of its innovative, educational toys 25 percent Friday through Sunday during its annual storewide sale. The discount is also good online, where shoppers can arrange to pick up orders in a store to save on shipping.

Take an additional 20 percent off already-marked-down prices during the final days of Historic Interiors Group, formerly the Great Estate Sale (10001 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka, 952-933-9924). If you shopped the sale in the past, maybe you, too, felt as if a lot of it was like overpriced Pier 1. But the selection has evolved. Contemporary and cabin-style chandeliers, for example, are an excellent deal, as well as occasional chairs (less than $200), teak cabinets, rugs, sideboards, urns and garden stools. The sale continues through Saturday, when the store will close.

Jackie's Living With Style (219 Water St., Excelsior, 952-472-6440) will have a "back door" sale in the parking lot with inventory from her warehouse, including furniture, florals and accessories. Sample savings: accent table $99 (regularly $425) and coffee table $300 (regularly $1,200). Mary O'Neal's furniture consignment will also contribute some items. The sale is from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Excelsior Art on the Lake is Saturday and Sunday.

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