Q1: You wouldn’t think about it with today’s temperature, but  with the Fall season around the corner, women are going to need to refresh their wardrobes.

Yes if they shop at outlet stores or liquidation stores, they can get the brand names they know, that fit them well, for a lot less.

Q2: What is the difference between an outlet store and a liquidation store?

An outlet store is often a store where the same brand is sold for less but it may not be the same items as in their regular retail stores. Not all items sold at an outlet are found at their regular stores - perhaps the weight of the cotton is less or the logo is stenciled on instead of embroidered or it was bought just to be sold here. Some outlet shops mix these different items, some recalls from regular stores and some regular priced items.

A liquidation store is clearances from the regular stores from last season or overstocks from this season.

Q3: If they don’t have time to run all over the city for these, are they clustered anywhere?

Centre Riocan in Kirkland is large, has 4 strips of shops around a parking lot and there are perhaps two dozen stores in this outdoor “mall”. If you keep going west on the TCan to Exit 26, you will bump into a teeny weeny strip of 4 shops at Promenades Hudson. Both of these have some “single” brand ladies upscale clothing.

Q4: Okay we’ve made it to those malls, now, where to we shop?

Liz Claiborne Outlet is about to close on October 13. Liz lovers will be thrilled to be able to buy some of her lines discounted here - Liz & Co, Liz Golf, Liz Clairborne in sizes 4-22. The store is a mix of regular products like you’d find in a regular-priced boutique and clothes made just for outlet stores. You need to know the difference - or ask.

Location:  3264 Jean Yves, Centre Riocan, Kirkland
corner: Transcanadienne
Phone: 514-426-1549
Hours: Regular plus Sun 12-5
www.lizclaiborneinc.com

Jones New York Magasin Entrepot offers up Jones for less here in this white, airy spot. Beyond Jones (Sport, Signature Collection, Joneswear), though, you could buy Anne Klein New York, AK Sport, Evan Picone, Kasper, Bandalino or Nine West in a large size range from 2-16, 14W-24W and petites too.

Location: 3280 rue Jean-Yves, Centre Riocan, Kirkland
corner: Transcanadienne
Phone: 514-695-8385
Hours: Regular plus Sun 11-5
Other locations: Promenades Hudson (450-455-9009); St-Sauveur (450-227-8711).

Promenades Hudson:

Jones NY (450-455-9009) - famous designer’s lines (2-16), (Sport, Signature Collection, Joneswear), Anne Klein New York, AK Sport, Evan Picone, Kasper, Bandalino or Nine West sizes 4-18, 14W-24W, petites
Lace (450-455-5552) - ladies’ fashions sizes 6-18
Olsen (450-424-5224 - ladies (34 - 46 European size = 2 - 16 Canadian size) regular, samples, clearances

Location: Boul. Harwood, Exit 26 on the Trans Canada Highway
Hours: Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5
Tel: 514-694-2371

Raffinati has been a well-known well-made Montreal-made label for women’s (2-18) suits, coats, raincoats and sportswear  for many years. About 3 or 4 times a year (March, June, Aug, Dec) they are clear out their stock from their Chabanel showroom including scarves and jewelry to go with all of the above. The next sale happens at the end of August.

9200 Meilleur, suite 400
corner: Chabanel
Tel: 514-327-4477
Dates: Aug 27-29
Time: 10-6

Q1 -Why are so many schools changing over to color dress codes and school uniforms?

- It has been shown school uniforms can help deter school violence and promote better discipline because of the positive change in the learning environment
- A real plus is that uniforms help administrators identify possible intruders to the school

Q2 - Okay a plus for school, but a plus or minus for parents?

- Makes morning rush out the door much easier for the parents
-  Wearing of uniforms takes the battle zone out of the ritual “What do I wear to school? problem
- You never have to take part in  that back-to-school shopping spree going, from store to store and trying to agree on what will be suitable

Q3 - What about the kids, do uniforms make their lives better or not?

- Reduces peer pressure, because no one can wear fancier designer names on their bums
- A child never has to worry about wearing the wrong thing, geeky styles, something a parent chose - and they have gotten laughed at

Q4 - It sounds like this is more expensive for the budget

- Buying uniforms is less costly in the end than buying an entire new wardrobe every year
- Often, a  good portion of last year’s clothing still fits this year, saving hundreds of dollars

Q5 - Okay, smart shopper, where are the places we can buy them other than the list the schools give out?

Moni is tucked away at the rear of the Kute Knit factory; You do have to go up a flight of stairs to check out this spot for children’s (newborn-18) casual clothes. At this time of the year, color coded uniforms rule the day and they offer up some of the lowest prices.

In navy, black and gray (the 2 prices refer to the Canadian-made ones or the imported ones): boys pants ($12 & $14), girls pants ($10 &$12), jumpers ($10 & $18), polo shirts ($8 short sleeve or  $9 long sleeve), dress shirts ($10), shorts ($4 & $6), cardigans ($12), gym t-shirts (short sleeve $4 or long sleeve $5), skirts ($8 & $12), boot leg leggings ($6), regular leggings ($5).

The rest of the shop has kids’ clothes for $5 (even 2-piece outfits) and mostly less than $10. Adult fleece jogging sets can be found at only $12. Great for our winter, there will be snowsuits at $28-$60.

Location: 1000 Beaumont, in rear
corner: boul.  l’Acadie
Tel: 514-273-2544 X 262
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-4:30 (Sat 9-2 Aug-Dec, call first)

St Henri Uniformes, is officially a blue collar uniform store with great prices. For boys and girls there are color code uniforms starting with pants in blue, black and gray in waist sizes 23 and up. Hemming is included in the price. White polos start at $16 and white button down shirts are $20 and up. For girls, blue tunics are $30 and up and pleated skirts come in navy blue, black and gray.

The rest of you can buy all kinds of heavy duty jeans, gloves, safety helmets, goggles, boots, western shirts, weatherproof outerwear and ice grips for shoes. They can outfit any of the following: truck drivers, bus drivers, guards, policemen, firemen, pilots, service station  attendants, clubs, schools, restaurant workers, ambulance drivers and chauffeurs. You can also find men’s shirts to 5XL, pants to size 60, and husky boys can be fitted as well.

Location: 2671 Notre-Dame ouest
corner: Atwater
TeL: 514-933-8570
Hours this month for uniforms: Mon-Thurs  9-5:30, Sat 9-1. Hours rest of year Mon-Wed & Fri 8:30-5:30, Thurs 8:30-7, Sat 8:30-4
www. sthenriuniform.com

Schreters has been for 82 years, the place on the Main for men’s and boys’ (7-18) clothing, including suits (to 52). It’s not surprising that you can boys’ school uniform pants (8-18) in a few styles ($29.99-49.99) in  black, navy and a few shades of gray. There is a limited amount of husky pants too.

Oxford shirts are sold in white and light blue, ($19.99 and up), polos with long sleeve are $14.99 and short sleeves $12.99. Their blazers are from quality manufacturers and come in black or navy ($79.99) and there’s ties too. You might be able to score a husky suit ($119 and up). For shoes, there’s basic loafers and basic oxford leather shoes available at $44.99. Their forte is locating hard to find sizes as they will go out and look for them for you. Since they sell both boys’ and men’s suits here, if your child needs a suit for school, sometimes a very small man’s size might fit a boy. A tailor available on site.

Now both men and women can think of this as their neighborhood shoe shop (Toms, Fly London, Converse, Birkenstock, Reebok, Ecco, Rockport, Hush Puppies, and for flip flops - Reef, Haviana, Flojo’s). Make sure you ask for their footwear loyalty card for $50 off on your 6th pair of shoes.

They carry name brand clothing (Point Zero, Buffalo, Vera Moda, Lady Dutch, K.way, French Connection, Jack & Jones, Ben Sherman, Penguin, Selected, Levi jeans) in everything from suits to jeans and underwear, all at wonderful prices. Women can find some casual wear and outerwear.

The staff are exceptionally helpful and can come up with really hard-to-find items like suspenders and handkerchiefs, or woolen underwear. For camp lists (duffle bag embroidery) and school uniforms, this joint is one stop shopping. The store motto, “No hassle money back guarantee”, is quite true.

Location:  4358 boul. St-Laurent
corner: Mary Anne
Hours: Mon-Wed 9:30-6, Thurs & Fri 9:30- 9, Sat 9:30-5, Sun 12-5
www.schreter.com

Loft Uniformes was started by Moms 19 years ago, and is still run by Moms who know what Moms need and want - good quality uniforms that will hold up all year at affordable prices. It’s one stop shopping for all your school uniform needs, from the clothing to socks, tights, school bags and belts in a full color range of gray, royal blue, navy blue, hunter green, burgundy, red and more.

For boys’ uniforms, there’s pants, long sleeve shirts, polos, sweat shirts, kangaroos, gym shorts, jogging and track pants and Bermuda shorts. Girls are offered 1/2 dozen styles of jumpers, skirts and pants, and also Bermudas, culottes, spandex polos, turtlenecks, cardigans (in knit and fleece), and look for blazers for both sexes.

The size range here was a surprise - they run from a toddler size 2 right up to adult 5X, and can be custom-made if necessary, and alterations are available.

Location: 7101 du Parc, suite 205
corner: Ave. du Parc
Hours:  August: Mon-Sat 10-6, Thurs & Fri 10-8, Sat 10-5. Rest of year: Mon-Fri 10-5, Sat 10-3
www.loftuniforms.com

Homegrown company, MEGA Brands is having a seasonal warehouse sale . Besides their well-known snap together Mega Bloks, they also sell arts and crafts under the RoseArt brand. Expect prices to be 40-70% of retail for toys, puzzles,  school and office supplies, construction sets, trucks, and Board Dudes. This sale is for excess inventory and discontinued lines., you may find  some regular priced items

Location: 3858 boul. Taschereau, Greenfield Park
Phone: 514-333-3339
Dates and Hours for sale:  Wed-Fri, Aug 18-20: 11-9, Sat & Sun, Aug 21 & 22: 10-4

If you miss the sale, you can catch similar deals at their headquarters’ Mega Blokswarehouse  store
Location: 4505 Hickmore, Ville St-Laurent
Hours for Store: Tues & Thurs : 12-7

On Tuesday morning on CJAD 800AM, you can listen to  me  on the radio (or Internet) on the Tommy Schnurmacher Show. This is a call-in show for an entire hour. We’ll be talking about back to school shopping and more..

Those of you with those important shopping questions, this is your chance to have me answer them.  If you miss the show you can always write to me here at my website.

Location: CJAD 800AM
Time: 11-12 noon
Date: Tues Aug 17th

Q1: Let’s talk about vinyl records, something close to a radio broadcaster’s heart.

The reason I wanted to talk about them it that though sales of  CD’s and DVD’s have been dropping, sales of vinyl records have risen. We are not talking about anything meteoric that could save the industry, but rising a tiny bit.

Q2:  Who’s buying the records?

There has been a re-discovery of vinyl by the 15-30 year-old generation and sales to the 45-65 year-olds too. They are all interested in 70’s rock: Led Zepplin , Pink Floyd, Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young.  That interest is now spilling in to a wave of 80’s music and even 90’s.

Q3: What is driving this mini resurgence?

Let’s face it, music still sounds better on vinyl  99% of the time - it has more life to it, not a flat electronic sound. Music lovers are realizing that. New music by performers such as Lady Gaga or Arcade Fire have come out on vinyl.

Sales are being driven in a few different ways. Some producers in the alternative music industry are offering,  with the purchase of vinyl album, a certificate to later legally download a copy. So you get the great sound on the vinyl and then you don’t’ have to do conversion to CD if you want to listen to it electronically.

Daniel Hadley owner of the Death of Vinyl store was mentioning that CD manufacturing plants keep closing as CD’s are probably on their way out. So in the future, if you want a physical copy of the music, you’ll be buying vinyl and then you’ll have an electronic version..

Q4: That generation is so plugged in to their iPods or computers, how can they enjoy the music if they can only listen to it on a turntable?

Well they can buy USB turntables which make it easy to plug into a computer to play the music on their computer or play it on an iPod, They can make a copy and to listen to all of it or just  save  favorite tracks.  However these turntables will not last the way the old ones did, so if you have an old turntable around, you can still do this but you need a pre-amp to do it.

Q5: Are there many stores still selling vinyl records in the city?

Yes, we never lost them.

Death of Vinyl is a gold mine for both used records and liquidated vinyl from other dealers as the owner was a record distributor for 11 years. Of the 60,000 records stocked here, expect prices to be $1, $2.99 or $4.99. If those weren’t low enough, they have sales around  3 times a year:  Back to School, Xmas and in the Spring. All kinds of music abounds - world, Francophone, jazz, rock, disco, punk, Broadway, dance, etc. They buy all kinds of records.

Location: 6307 boul. St-Laurent
corner: Beaubien
Tel: 514-495-2786
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thurs & Fri 10-9, Sat & Sun 12-5
www.deathofvinyl.com

On the West Island, Musiquest has been in the business for 15 years, so this choc-a-bloc vinyl record shop has perhaps 85,000 33 1/3 LP’s, 100,000 45’s and 7,000 78’s to offer you. Wander around to find the rock & pop, disco, Motown, folk, country, blues, easy listening, children, organ, chorale, classical, gospel and even banjo. There are about 200 audio cassettes, 350 DVD’s and 5,000 CD’s.

Location: 63E Donegani, Pointe Claire
corner: Valois
Tel: 514-426-0876
Hours: Tues-Sun 10-5

Disques Beatnick Records has a combination of old and new music in vinyl. To tell them apart, the red or pink stickers indicate the used items and the green means it’s new. Sections for rock, jazz, reggae, soul 60’s, etc. have bins and there are walls of vinyl; don’t miss the little back room.

Location: 3770 St-Denis
corner: des Pins
Tel: 514-842-0664
Hours: Mon-Wed 11-7, Thurs & Fri 11-9, Sat & Sun 11-6
www.beatnickmusic.com

Aux 33 1/3 is a store which specializes in new and used (60% of stock) vinyl records: jazz, rock, country, classical music or hip-hop. For those of you who don’t know, the 33 1/3  in their name refers to the speed of vinyl records -33 1/3 revolutions per minute. They have 45,000 LP’s and about 10,000 used CDs in stock and you can listen to the ones you’re thinking of buying on the 2 turntables.

1379 Mont-Royal est
corner: Garnier
Tel:514-524-7397
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-7, Thurs & Fri 10-9, Sat 10-5, Sun 11-5
www.aux33tours.com

The Canadian Bead Oasis Show is landing here at Place Bonaventure and is open to the public. Besides the thousands of types of beads, you can buy jewelry, kits, and they offer classes.

Location: Place Bonaventure, 800 de la Gauchetiere
corner: University
Tel: 866-311-1104
Dates: Aug 13 - 15
Hours: Fri 12-8, Sat 10-6, Sun 11-5
oasisshows.com

Archambault has a piano sale each August  After you have stepped through the Art Nouveau portals of Montreal’s oldest (1896) and largest music emporium, head to the second floor, where you’ll discover the grand salon piano department which is Quebec’s largest piano store.

Right now they are clearing the new pianos from their regular stock: perhaps Hallet and Davis (Baldwin), George Steck or Perzina from Germany. However on August 16th, the Yamaha pianos from camps at Orford and Lanaudiere will come in to be sold.  The insider information is that you can reserve one of those pianos before they get here and really score as prices are almost half off ; They have only been used for about 6 weeks.

There are 50 used and new pianos both in uprights and grands. All come with a 10 year parts and labor guarantee and delivery is included.

500 Ste. Catherine St. East
corner: Berri St
Phone: 514-830-1833 or 514-849-6201
Dates: Aug 5 - Sept 5
Hours: Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m .to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
www.archambault.ca

Since 1964, The Tailored Man has been coming to North America fitting men (and sometimes women) with made-to-measure suits at Hong Kong’s prices (starting at $460, shirts start at $55). The suits come with extras you don’t usually see in North American stores: sweat shields, cell phone pockets and the pants have a heel guard and knee lining. When you order a shirt, you choose collar style, cuff and monogram location.

Sunder Daswani’s team is back in Montreal so make a personal appointment: 866-751-7868 or 571-529-0539 or www.tailoredman.com/appointment. To be added to their mailing list: goodfit@tailoredman.com. At this sale, they will be giving you a complimentary shirt with each order.

Locations and Dates:
August 9  & 10: Ruby Foo’s Hotel, 7655 Decarie Blvd. Phone: 514-731-7701
August 11-13 : Sheraton Laval, 2440 Autoroute des Laurentides, Phone: 450-687-2440
August 14 & 15:  Sheraton Centre, 1250 Rene Levesque West, Phone: 514- 878-2000

www.tailoredman.com

Every so often, the ladies clothing shop (sizes 4-24) Gilbert & Daughter calls all their regular customers and has a blowout Wednesday evening sale when they sell everything in the store for $30 or less. Some idea of prices: t-shirts that normally sell for $70 will be $10,  party dresses are $8, there’s some bras for $5.

Keep this store in your radar because even normally prices are 30-70% off. By maintaining low overhead, they can provide famous name brands in dresses, suits, co-ordinates, sweaters and sportswear at great prices. Asked to be called for these special sale evenings, and don’t forget to see what there is in the lower level.

Location: 49 Donegani, Dorval
corner: Boul. des Sources
Tel: 514-695-3107
Sale Date and Hours: Wednesday, August 11, 5-9pm.
Normal business Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thurs & Fri 10-7:30, Sat & Sun 10-5