The sale rack: First looks at secondhand school sales

By Debra Melani, Special to the Rocky

Published July 25, 2008 at 3 p.m.

Text size

More Home & Garden

With today's economic unrest fueling more penny-pinching and "green"-thinking among consumers, upcoming second-hand sales could grab a larger-than-normal share of back-to-school shoppers.

Just Between Friends of Denver is banking on it. Calling its annual back-to-school sale a "go-green, recycling" event, organizers say parents can save gas, time and money while recycling their children's outgrown clothes and outfitting them in "new" attire. And the cost? From 50 percent to 90 percent off retail prices.

With more than 25,000 items on sale this year, parents are sure to find something for their kids, including school clothes and sports gear. The sale kicks off Aug. 8 with a private preview for consignors, teachers, volunteers and first-time parents. The public sale runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 9 and 2 to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 10 (everything half-price) at the Hellenic Community Center, 4610 E. Alameda Ave. Admission is $2. 303-884-9198, jbfsale.com/denver

The Highlands Ranch Just Between Friends sale starts Thursday with its private preview and continues for the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 9 to 11 a.m. (half- price sale) Aug. 2 at the Denver Christian School Gymnasium, 1733 Dad Clark Drive. 720-984-3709, highlandsranch.jbfsale.com

Back-to-school shoppers can circle Aug. 16 on their calendars for the MOMS 29th Semi-Annual Children's Everything Sale. More than 175 families take part in the Mothers of Multiples event, offering quality children's items at low cost, including clothes from preemie sizes on up. The sale runs from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Douglas County Events Center, 500 Fairgrounds Drive. Admission is $1. 303-771-6788, mothersofmultiples.com

If you want back-to-school bargains on new items, the sale season is upon us. Tommy Hilfiger at the Outlets at Loveland, 5661 McWhinney Blvd., has marked polos, T-shirts and denim down 40 percent for a back-to-school sale through Sept. 2. 970-663-1916, outletsatloveland.com

You also can still find spring/summer clearance deals. At Polo Ralph Lauren at the Outlets at Castle Rock, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd., shoppers can take an extra 25 percent off all clearance items this weekend only, including by phone or online. 303- 688-4495, outletsatcastlerock.com

And at Irene's Boutique, 2342 S. Colorado Blvd., a consignment store that specializes in high-end women's clothing, you can take 20 percent off already reduced merchandise today through Aug. 2. 303-759-3010

For summer deals on brand-name furniture, check out BG Distributors Summer Showroom Sale, 775 S. Jason St., which continues through August. All floor stock has been slashed again from its original sale price. 303-292-3330, bgfurnitureanddesign.com

You can get 25 percent off everything in the store until Thursday at The Papery's July sale, 728 S. University Blvd. In August, the high-quality stationery and invitation shop will offer baby-shower invitations created in the store at half price. 303-744-1642

Have a tip on a good sale? Send it to dmelani@msn.com.

Subscribe to the Rocky Mountain News