All stories about "Sample Sales"

FINANCIAL DISTRICT—A tipster writes: "Wild Edibles, the crazy place that makes floral arrangements out of cantaloupe slices, is moving into a corner storefront at Nassau and Beekman. And yet there are still people who say FiDi is dead." That Wild Edibles has nothing to do with this Wild Edibles, does it? [RackedWire Inbox]

A CELL PHONE NEAR YOU—Are sample sale companies resorting to telemarketing to get bodies in the door? A Racked informant writes: "Just got a phone call from [redacted number]. It's a message recorded by some woman with a horrendous Jersey accent telling the listener about the latest 'sample' sale that is about to start @ 37 west 57th...Not sure how they got my phone number, especially since it's on the Federal 'do not call' list. But eating up my mobile minutes for sample sale spam is enough for me to vow off what ever company is having the sale." [RackedWire Inbox]

Click the image above to view the full photogallery.

Quite literally bargain basement, the ongoing Missoni sale in Soho is one of those rare small sales in NY where serious discount hunters can strike it big. Entering the bazaar-ish retail space at 440 Broadway, you then must locate the stairwell (it's back and to the right) and descend to a bare bones lower level where Missoni, Bill Blass, Cynthia Steffe and a few Diesel belts hang limply on so many racks like a garage sale. Missoni dresses max out around $600, and the scarves seem the best buy at $60-70 for silk cacophonies of color. The meager offerings from Cynthia Steffe are...meager. In the far corner, however, sits a treasure collection of Bill Blass skirt suits, in summer-perfect colors with sizes ranging from 2 to 14. For the dudes they've got a small bunching of Missoni briefs, dress shirts and lightweight windbreakers jackets. Sale kicked off yesterday, runs through Monday, May 12th.
· Dealfeed: Missoni, Cynthia Steffe [Racked]

Click the image above to view the full photogallery.

Shoemaker Matt Bernson has himself a sale in progress in Tribeca (on the loading dock at 434 Greenwich St, at Laight). It goes through 8 PM tomorrow, so the let's get to the crux of the matter, Is is worth your time? To the field (with photo dispatch above):

Click the image above to view the full photogallery.

In a move that can only be attributed to the brand wanting to make up for previous epic transgressions, Uniqlo's sale event, today through the 11th, is a wonderland of discounted merchandise. Denim, cashmere, cotton, twill, lycra (gotta be twill and lycra there somewhere, non?) and the rest are all marked down big time, and there are racks of the stuff as far as the eye can see (above, scan for yourself). So sayeth our correspondent, who was kind enough to take a break from sweater hoarding to file this report:

Outside Uniqlo Soho, 9:48 AM

We're just minutes away from the start of a sample sale at Soho cheapie emporium Uniqlo. The last time these guys attempted a sample sale, it was something of a non-starter, as by the time the door had opened to the public most of the best stuff was gone, sold the day before at a preview for friends, family and press. This time around, there is decidedly less anticipation (above). Reports our team at the scene: "There are about 10 people milling about. This is definitely non-madness. Interestingly, seems like there are several couples on the line." More after the doors open; then, later, the full report.

VITAL UPDATE: Might they have gotten it right this time? Report: "Tons of merchandise. Denim is 50% off, cashmere 40%, tons of stuff. And there's probably only 20 people here." Sounds like go time, friends.

How much do we love the Metropolitan Pavilion? Lots! Especially when FOUR big Sample Sales happen in and around it simultaneously: at 123, 135 and 145 West 18th Street. Let's break it down, shall we?

1) 123 W 18th St/Metropolitan Pavilion: On the first floor is the thrice-yearly Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show, with over 80 vintage dealers for everything from clothing to textiles. The doors opened at 1pm today ($20 admission) to a nice line, and the show continues through tomorrow evening at 6pm. On the 4th floor is the Warehouse Premium Denim Sale, also ending tomorrow evening but with a buy-5-get-the-6th-free special.

9:46 AM, 263 West 38th Street, 16th Floor

We're coming to you live from the Mayle sample sale this morning. Doors are slated for 10 AM, and so far our staffers on the scene are reporting unpleasant conditions: "There are 40 people standing around a random hallway on the 16th floor of a Garment District building. It's hot. There's no order in here. I'm kinda freaking out. Wait, gotta go, I think they're opening the doors." More to come from midtown, where the new-vintage duds are up to 80% off.

Click the image above to view the full photogallery.

The Calypso sample sale going down in the Garment District is really something special. Today, the place was crowded with crazed shoppers, screaming children, and long lines at both the entrance and the checkout. It's worth braving the madness, though. Boatloads of inventory—ranging from silk dresses and kid's cashmere sweaters to bedsheets and cowboy boots—are marked down big time, which explains why loyal followers of the boho brand are flocking in droves. Cotton dresses and skirts, silk dresses and tops, and cashmere sweaters are priced between $10-60 (see photo gallery above for full price lists). Cute metallic bags with chain straps and bright-colored leather clutches cost $50, while classic flats and cowboy boots sell for $40.

Just because we're in a recession doesn't mean that all businesses are struggling. Gilt Groupe, an online sample sale website that launched in November, announced today that they were expanding into menswear. The site, which is invitation-only, holds 24-hour sales a few times per week and often sells out of merchandise within the first hour. Although they've managed to pull some impressive names—Diane von Furstenberg, Thakoon, Tibi, Sari Gueron—the sales have never particularly thrilled us because the discounted merchandise is still often priced in the hundreds. So you're not going to be finding the type of deals you'd encounter when rifling through boxes at some bargain-basement type sale.

Still, it's clear that for those with slightly deeper pockets—or people who can't skip out on work to wait in line to get into a sample sale—a site like Gilt is a godsend. And soon, men will be as ensnared by its powers as women apparently are.
· Gilt Groupe [Official Site]

DOWNTOWN
· Hermès Sample Sale: Saturday 10am—6pm. 123 W 18th St between Sixth and Seventh Aves, fourth floor (no phone).
· Freemans Sporting Club Yard Sale: Saturday 11am—7pm; Sunday noon—6pm. 8 Rivington St between Bowery and Chrystie St (212-673-3209).
· Patricia Field Sidewalk Sale: Saturday 4—8pm. 302 Bowery between Houston and East 1st St (212-966-4066).
· Project No.8 Sample Sale: Saturday 4—8pm. 215 Centre St between Grand and Howard Sts, second floor (212-219-1693).
· The Lake & The Stars Trunk Show: Saturday 11am—8pm. Journelle, 3 E 17th St at Fifth Ave (212-255-7800).
· Samples for (eco)mpassion: Saturday noon—8pm. 2 Great Jones St between Broadway and Lafayette St; (no phone yet).

Today, destiny brings us face to face with one of New York City's most serious bargain hunts—the once-a-year, lock-up-the-kids Hermès sample sale. Racked is reporting live from the scene all morning. Buckle up.

Click the image above to view the full photogallery.

9:25AM: Reports our correspondent, "I'm walking along 18th Street towards the Metropolitan Pavilion, where the sale takes place [at 123 West 18th, between Sixth and Seventh Aves]. This sale only happens once a year, so expect a crowd—everyone wants a little piece of Hermes. They're not specific about what's going to be there, though they do say men's and women's; a lot of people probably want to get a scarf. Might be some foolish enough to think there are Birkins there, but there won't be. There will be a lot of little accessories, and definitely some clothing."

9:31AM: "Line just came into sight. It's already really long. It's pouring, so everyone's got their umbrellas. Ugh."

9:39AM: "The crowd is different from most sale crowds. Everyone looks very, very wealthy. There are a lot of businessmen in suits. There's a guy in front of me reading the Wall Street Journal. It's raining pretty hard, but I'm under a construction shed. But most of the front of the line is standing in the rain."

9:44AM: "Talked to the guy reading the WSJ. Says he's 'hoping the tie collection remains relatively untouched because there aren't that many guys ahead of him' in line.' Huh."

9:47AM: "It's getting down to the wire. I'd estimate there are 400 people in line. Guys in front of me talking about Obama now. A lot of people are taking business meetings to go to this sale. A lot of corner offices that are empty. I'm really impressed how many people have turned out."

We scan the inbox so you don't have to. Today, four items of note:

Best Bets Daily: Small, brightly-colored clutches from Anthropologie
Brooklyn Based: not updated
DailyCandy: List of sample sales
DailyCandy Kids: Handmade initial pillows
Gen Art Pulse: Fashionable and affordable line Quail (pictured)
Juli B: not updated
MUG: Photography of Zambian school Chishawasha
RareDaily: not updated
Refinery29: not updated
Thrillist: New East Village shop Cry Wolf
UrbanBaby Daily: Onesies from boutique SohoKind
VSL: Cartoonist Sam Gross' book We Have Ways of Making You Laugh: 120 Funny Swastika Cartoons

Click the image above to view the full photogallery.

If you want to get your hands on $5 Gorillaz toys or $2 Sam the Pirates, get over to the Kidrobot Pirate Store. The scene there at present is somewhat of a madhouse, with shoppers digging through bins of $15 t-shirts and browsing racks of $50 hoodies. Sadly, we didn't spot one Munny or Dunny, and the toy selection is limited. There is a lot of brightly-colored clothing, however. Given the group that showed up this morning, it's probably best to plan your shopping trip before the kids get out of school this afternoon.
· First Look: Inside the Kidrobot Pirate Store [Racked]
· Secrecy Swirls Around Kidrobot Pop-Up [Racked]
· RackedWire: Kidrobot's New Toy Outlet, Pierre Hardy for Gap Update [Racked]

Click the image above to view the full photogallery.

The Kidrobot pop-up store opens this morning at 11 AM at 70 Greene Street and, like we said we'd be, we're in position to catch the first few spectacular, uber-toy filled moments of it for you. As it happens:

10:25 AM: Pretty quiet so far. I'm looking in, see ugly dolls. There are a lot of toys. Gorillaz, ugly dolls. More ugly dolls. The staff is sweeping, getting ready. Four guys outside milling about, ostensibly on line.

10:32 AM: I see hoodies in the back, sneakers in the front now visible. Ugly dolls, Gorillaz figurines; I see something called a 'getbot.' A lot of bins full of t-shirts. Cool things along the walls - partitions covered in aluminum foil. They're doing some Pirate Store logo thing up front.

10:45 AM: Scandal alert: there are no Dunnies (those bunny toys that are smoking, 'bvi).

10:46 AM: More from the group of guys on line: there's a friend of the guys who can't make it, as he was caught skipping school yesterday. After this, they're headed to Urban Outfitters for shoplifting fun. Anticipation very high among the very few that are here. No women on line yet.

10:55 AM: It's almost time. Line now 13 people long. I'm still the only girl. Bystanders are wondering what's going on. Tourists. Everybody still excited, cold. Band of boys experiencing increased sense of worry that parents will find out they've skipped school today.

10:59 AM: Line has gotten kind of long, 20 people.

11:00 AM: BREAKING: A huge group of people, maybe 10, just showed up and walked right into the store. The rest of us are still waiting outside! Not cool. Wait, they're now shopping! OMG, somebody just took three Gorillaz toys. Outrageous. People out here are angry, but if they work at this store we guess this is okay. OMG, the Gorillaz toys are going!

11:03 AM: Now we think these savages might just be friends of people who work at the store. There's a girl that just doesn't look the type. Gorillaz are getting pillaged! I don't know if they're going to be any left. OMG, we're still waiting! This is not okay! Now this girl has seven boxes of Gorillaz. She can barely carry them. No munnies, no dunnies.

11:06 AM: They're letting us in.

· First Look: Inside the Kidrobot Pirate Store [Racked]
· Secrecy Swirls Around Kidrobot Pop-Up [Racked]
· RackedWire: Kidrobot's New Toy Outlet, Pierre Hardy for Gap Update [Racked]

Though the Kidrobot Pirate Store is scheduled to open in only a few hours, we've never been ones who liked to wait. So here, the first shots of the interior of the place taken by a dedicated Racked tipster. A quick refresher on the situation: the Kidrobot folks have decided to move their permanent toy emporium from its home at 126 Prince Street (now closed), to a larger space (two floors!) nearby at 118 Prince. While the move is taking place, they're hanging out in a pop-up shop at 70 Green Street. And in the first week that the temporary store is open, Kidrobot staffers will be hosting a massive sample sale inside, with lots of clothing and toys priced to move—we hear discounts may exceed 50%. So....we'll see you in line in a few hours?

SOHO—Toy store for adults Kidrobot is opening a pop-up shop. According to Fashion Geek, the temporary boutique at 70 Greene Street (called the Kidrobot Pirate Store) will be unveiled this Friday with a massive sample sale. [Fashion Geek]

NATIONAL—Designer Pierre Hardy's much-anticipated shoe line for Gap will be available in 75 stores across the country and online beginning March 6th. The LA Times reports that the "collection of three-inch wood wedges and pointy metallic flats" will retail from $78 to $98. [LA Times]

Men's daily Thrillist points us toward an interesting new store today. It's called Denim & Knits, and it's positioning itself as a perma-sample-sale emporium. The space, on the second floor of 2 Cortlandt Street, is right next to discount mega-store Century 21. They're stocking men's and women's clothing from denim brands like 7 for All Mankind, True Religion, Frankie B, Paige Denim, J Brand, Hudson, Joe's Jeans, William Rast and Citizens for Humanity and tops and dresses from labels like Splendid and Ella Moss. On their website, you can give your name to receive another 10% off purchases.

Now we're all for bargains, but the concept of a permanent sample sale isn't that appealing. Sample sales are exciting because they're temporary—you only have a few days, or a few hours, to snag deeply discounted items from designers whose work you've always loved but have never been able to afford. Obviously, this is not a real sample sale. But we don't want to prematurely knock what could be a great source for budget-priced denim. Can anyone vouch for whether or not it's worth the trek? We're particularly curious as to how competitive they are, price-wise, with their neighbor.
· Denim & Knits [Official Site]
· The List [Thrillist]

The line outside Botkier at 10am this morning.

As promised, we bring you an update on this week's stellar handbag sample sale lineup. Yesterday, we said run to Rafe, stroll to Lauren Merkin, and just nix Hayden-Hartnett entirely. Today's contender is Botkier, the high-end designer renowned for buttery soft leather bags and a major sample sale following.

We have to admit, we don't really get die-hard Botkier enthusiasts. As reported earlier, there were around 70 shivering women in line by the time the doors swung open at 10am, and those at the front had been outside as early as 8:45am! Why, ladies?! The plush leather bags are lovely but do not substantiate hypothermia...or the $200-400 discounted prices. We browsed the selection and say save your cash and freezing toes. Head to Rafe instead.

The sample sale scene is swinging this holiday season, and there are several designer handbag listings in our Dealfeed files. So many metallic totes and beaded clutches…so little time! This week’s schedule of top indie handbag designers makes it particularly difficult to choose where to head on your lunch break. For your convenience, we've compared the findings among a few of our faves.

Bags galore at Rafe

Rafe: Sample sale done right! We dropped by their sale last December (awesome) and this past spring (blah), so we weren't really sure what to expect today. We are pleased to report that this is a major winner. Their amazing fall collection is heavily discounted. Bold, beautifully-crafted totes, clutches, shoulder bags, and even yoga bags are priced between $50-300, although most are around $100-200. Rafe offers a spectrum of styles, including beaded, patent leather, suede, linen, soft leather, and fur...and that's just the bags! There are boatloads of shoes priced at only $50. If you are a (Euro) shoe size 37, you've really hit the jackpot. The flats, pumps, sandals, boots, and mules are particularly abundant in this size. This is Rafe's best sale ever.

'Tis the season... for sample sales!! Overwhelmed by the sheer number of sales going on? Yeah, us too. Never fear, though: Racked swung by some sales in the Garment District this afternoon so you wouldn't have to. Here, 4-1-1:

Label: Sylvia Heisel
The silk selection is a little matronly. Think Palm Beach meets India. We'll pass and so should you.
· Dealfeed: Sylvia Heisel [Racked]

Label: Kier + J
There is a good amount of cashmere inventory remaining, and the price is right at $40, $60, and $80 a pop. You'll find various sweater styles in mostly muted colors. The sale has been extended through next week, and prices will continue to fall until then. No dressing room. Cash only. Go go go!
· Dealfeed: Kier + J [Racked]