Sale on cute kids' shoes Even during a sale, the prices on kids' shoes at Shoe Zoo (3146 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., 612-823-3988, www.shoezoo.us) aren't as low as they are at Kohl's or Target. But there's an uptick in cute at the Zoo. Through July 11, save an additional 15 percent on all shoes, including the ones in the outlet upstairs already discounted 30 to 70 percent. After the discount, most shoes in the outlet are $10 to $40. Most are from European companies in sizes from prewalkers to size 9 for women and up to size 7 for boys. Dresses will be $20 to $40 at the sale. Pajamas and sock pairs are buy two, get one free.

Extra value at Village Value Village in Brooklyn Center (6330 Brooklyn Blvd., 763-503-3534, www.arcsvalue village.com) celebrates its 10th anniversary with storewide 50 percent discounts Saturday, good only at that location. All stores -- including New Hope, Richfield, St. Paul and Brooklyn Center -- will have 25 percent storewide discounts every Thursday in June and July.

Video store fades out Crown Video & Tanning (2701 E. Franklin Av., Mpls., 612-339-2194) will close July 7. Nearly 12,000 titles are priced at $2 to $9 on DVD and $9 to $13 on Blu-ray. All are previously viewed but guaranteed to be in good condition. CD and DVD players ($5 and $10) and tanning beds ($200 and $2,500) also will be for sale. Nicollet Village Video, which lost its lease, will be moving into the Crown Video spot next month.


If you missed my earlier blog post:

My recent rants about gutter guards and dehumidifiers drew lots of comments from readers.

Many wrote to express satisfaction with hooded gutters by Leafaway and Gutter Helmet, but they cost $1,500 and up ($15 to $28 per linear foot). A cheaper solution is a foam insert. Costco's GutterStuff -- available online only -- is on sale for $2.19 per linear foot plus tax, regularly $2.81. The product is rated four out of five stars on average by 30 reviewers, but buyers with maple trees in their yards seemed dissatisfied. Others complained about ice dams, but I have heard that complaint with every system, including hooded gutters. To check it out, go to Costco.com and type "450980" in the search field. The price includes shipping. Nonmembers can order online for a 5 percent surcharge.

Last year I complained about dehumidifiers lasting only a summer or two. My solution has been to buy them at Costco, which has an unlimited return policy. The Consumer Reports-recommended Danby dehumidifier that I purchased in spring 2009 has worked great. The same 60-pint model is on sale at Costo.com for $180 (shipped) plus tax through July 3. Reviewers give it 3.5 out of five stars. Complaints include a fan that runs continuously and noise. If you buy this model, be sure to clean the filter every two weeks. It can be removed only when the water reservoir is pulled out. Not cleaning the filter is a common cause of unit failure. Many readers say they've had the same model for a decade or longer.

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