Saint Louis Shopping Tips by LauraWest Top 5 Page for this destination

The Scholarshops: Name Brand & Designer Used Clothing

Since I wrote the tip below, I have shopped at both of the stores many times! I discovered the Season Clearance sales, which are hard to resist. At the end of summer '05, I carefully stuffed 21 items in a normal paper grocery sack for only $25. The bag is provided & most of my items were dresses! Really, really nice dresses that I have been wearing to work & for fancier events! You pay $25, total, for whatever you put in the bag. You can share a bag with a friend, of course. After the sale ends, they donate the remaining items to a specific charity ( I thinK that varies from year to year).

Unusually new & clean, well organized thrift stores in upscale areas, these 2 are my fav places to buy my clothes, in addition to yard sales. (Webster Groves has the best yard sales, approximately April through Sept.) They have men's & children's sections,too. Prices are very good & dressing rooms are excellent. My last purchase was in January, a long skirt to take on my trip to Europe, $9 & like-new. It will be my only skirt; I'm traveling extremely light ;-)

I LIKE THIS STORE SO MUCH THAT I PUT A TIP ON MY WEBSTER GROVES TRAVEL PAGES, TOO.

What to buy: THE WEB SITE I added has two reviews written by mothers who shop for their kid's clothes here. They caution to check for stains and other problems. that would be true anytime you buy used clothes. The site also has a google map for the Webster Groves store and the address.

What to pay: $4 to 40 (the higher price would be for real designer clothes) - or one dollar, or less on Sale!

Address: Across from Galleria Shopping Center is original.

Directions: Newest shop is in Webster Groves on Big Bend Blvd. (hours are till 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday & 10 to 5 on Fridays & Saturdays. Closed Sundays.

Theme: Discount Store

Website: http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3716755742

Vintage Vinyl: St. Louis's Best Recorded Music Store

The best independent record store I've ever been in, for the big selection & the ambience. People are always "shopping" there. Bands squeeze in there to play regularly, too. See website for bands scheduled & lots more info. They sell new & used vinyl & CDs, too. Mostly CDs . Music magazines & the usual posters, patches, etc. OPEN EVERYDAY, at 10 a.m. Till 11 p.m. or midnight, depending on day.

What to buy: local music is featured at this store - my daughter Katie owns part of a small local label <www.collectiverecords.com > - their releases are here, as well as many other locally produced discs!

Address: 6610 Delmar

Directions: In the U-City Loop, ascross from Fitz's restaurant, not far from the largest free parking lot in that area!

Phone: (314) 721-4096

Theme: Music

Website: http://www.vintagevinyl.com

Phoenix Rising: Unusual Gifts

This is more than a gift shop. The American handmade jewelry is well-crafted, as are the unique crafts. Besides humorous greeting cards & toys, you have many retro gift items, some expensive & some cheap. Home Decor & gifts for you, your lover, your dog, your infant, or someone else's. It is fun to look around for five or ten minutes. I wear two pairs of earrings from this shop often, both gifts from my daughter!
I hope you enjoy memories of your visit, too.

Address: Demar Ave. in the Loop

Theme: Gifts