Get cereal for $1 a bag General Mills recently announced that it will raise prices on about a fourth of its cereals in November because of higher grain prices. But you can delay the increase by stocking up on Malt-O-Meal cereals this week. The Minnesota company will be selling 25,000 bags of its cereal for $1 each at its annual United Way fundraiser. That's a discount of 50 to 75 percent off the normal price of Frosted Mini Spooners, Cocoa Dyno Bytes, Berry Colossal Crunch and other brand-name knockoffs.
Crowds form early because the lines open at 7:30 a.m. Thursday. Supplies usually run out by noon. The sale is in the Crystal Court of the IDS Center in downtown Minneapolis. About 15 to 20 varieties are sold. Shoppers can buy up to 10 bags per person (cash only). Malt-O-Meal matches up to $50,000 of the proceeds from the sale and donates it to United Way.
If anyone is wondering why Malt-O-Meal dropped its Toasty Os years ago, a representative said it was a production capacity issue. The better-selling Honey Nut Scooters replaced them. Cheerios lovers know that finding a store-brand replacement that tastes as good isn't easy.
Deals on designer duds Women with big clothing budgets are combining their designer and couture castoffs for a sale benefiting the Hope Chest for breast cancer. About 1,000 pieces in pristine condition in sizes 2 to 14 will be 75 to 90 percent off retail. Designers include Armani, Max Mara, Yohji, Prada, Akris, Escada, Etro, Burberry, Eileen Fisher and lots of St. John. Admission is $10 (donated to the Hope Chest) from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and free from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Wayzata Bay Center (841 E. Lake St., Wayzata, 612-597-3397).
Toy sale canceled In the second half of my semiannual sale calendar in June, I mentioned that Manhattan Toys, maker of Groovy Girls, would be having its annual sale of discontinued items in November. Unfortunately, the company has decided not to have the sale this year because of a lack of discontinued inventory.
John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633 or jewoldt@startribune.com. If you spot a deal, share it at www.startribune.com/blogs/dealspotter.
