No time to assemble? Call a pro Ikea's new catalog (out in early August) and the anticipation of a new school year always fill its parking lots and loading docks. If you're considering ready-to-assemble furniture or kitchen cabinets but don't have the time, patience or expertise for it, consider a specialist. When I recently inquired about assembly, a salesperson pointed me to a counter near customer service with four business cards on it. None of those companies carries an official Ikea seal of approval, but all have five years' experience or more. Each charges about $50 an hour with a $50 or $75 minimum (cash or check). Furniture is assembled in your home and placed where you want it.
The businesses include Assembly Repair Specialists (763-434-2735), Assembly Required (651-230-3997, www.assembly requiredmn.com) and Assembly Specialists (651-235-1050, www.startribune.com/a544). Travel time is not an additional expense inside the Interstate 494/694 beltway, and furniture can be from retailers other than Ikea.
In addition to furniture assembly, QWR Services (1-877-783-4657, www.qwrinc.net) offers design and assembly of Ikea's kitchens. Most kitchen installations are $1,500 to $2,000 and require two to three days. Credit cards are accepted.
Prix fixe meals for $10 to $30 Restaurant.com and daily deal sites such as Groupon have great dining deals, but it's rare to find foodie restaurants in the mix. Mpls.St.Paul magazine's restaurant week changes that. Through Friday, restaurants such as Bradstreet Craftshouse, Cafe and Bar Lurcat, Cave Vin, Cosmos, Dakota Jazz, Fogo de Chao, Masa, Meritage, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Sea Change, Capital Grille, Oceanaire and Vincent will have three-course prix fixe lunch and/or dinner specials ranging from $15 to $30 (two-course lunches are $10 or $20). Menus can be checked online at www.mspmag.com, then click on "restaurant week." If you find yourself shut out of a reservation, ask if the offer can be extended a day or two (no guarantees) or make a note to check the next offer, set for Oct. 23-28.
Summer clearance at Galleria The Galleria (3510 W. 70th St., Edina, www.galleriaedina.com) will run a mall-wide clearance sale through Sunday. Most shops are participating, but some of the better deals include Brass Handle (25 percent off all regular-priced hardware), Epitome (60 to 80 percent off spring and summer women's clothes and accessories), Pumpz & Co. (additional 25 percent off sale shoes and accessories for women) and Twill by Scott Dayton (40 percent off men's spring merchandise and 60 to 80 percent off 2010 merchandise).
John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633 or jewoldt@startribune.com. If you spot a deal, share it at www.startribune.com/dealspotter.
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