Pottery Barn has held local sidewalk sales before, but company reps say this is the first time it is holding a clearance event on such a large scale.

The company is setting up shop in a place directly behind the Pottery Barn at Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, 12459 Elm Creek Blvd. in Maple Grove. All PB merchandise will be 50 to 75 percent off. Selection includes dining furniture, bedroom furniture, office furniture, occasional collections, rugs, bedding, pillow covers, throws, botanicals and seasonal merchandise. No PB Teen items.

Overstocks and floor models from Ridgedale, Edina, St. Paul and Maple Grove are included. PB reps said the sale, which has not been done in this market before, is not a trial balloon for an outlet store The chain has nine outlets spread across the country with the closest one to the Twin Cities in Detroit.

The size of the outlet space is not huge--it's slightly smaller than the Maple Grove store. But reps say there is enough merchandise to allow for restocking after items are sold.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday Oct. 20 through Saturday Oct. 22 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The usual restrictions apply for a clearance sale--all sales final, no holds, and no additonal discounts. Items must be picked up the day of purchase. Customers must arrange for their own furniture pickup and delivery.