Field Trip! The Fruits of Outlet Shopping at Grove City Outlets

Off a stretch of 79, North of Pittsburgh, where the spring air still holds a winter chill and humans share space with livestock, there is settled a center of discount shopping possibility. What golden nugget of commerce requires is a little time and a good pair of walking shoes. But what it offers is fun and the chance a savvy shopper can get some decent bargains.

You'll see it here...

Oops! No, wait, not there. Here, right across the street...

Yep, now you've found the Grove City Premium Outlets, and that's where my friend Scoobie and I went treasure hunting last weekend!

Now, if you've never been outlet shopping before, I have some advice for you. When outlet shopping, I recommend the following tips:

• If you can, park somewhere central enough that you can return packages to the car. Don't do like I did once and buy something large, and have to carry it half a mile back to your vehicle. Trust me-- your arms and back will thank you for it!

• Wear shoes you know are comfortable; this is not the time to break in that cute pair of new heels. You lose points for your stylishness if you're bloody and limping.

• Make sure you eat. Smart shoppers are not hungry, cranky shoppers. Plus, it will help you avoid buying everything the chocolate shops have to offer. Restraint comes with a full stomach.

• Know what you're looking for and what you're willing to pay. Like thrift stores, prices at outlet malls are not always bargains. So it's really important to know what the prices are on the things you're interesting in buying. Some outlet stores offer some real sales, but others are just branches of regular mall stores at regular mall store prices. It's important to know what's what to really enjoy savings.

My friend Scoobie found herself a good price on a griddle. She'd been comparing prices for months now and the Corelle Outlet had a quality Revereware griddle for a price she wanted to pay.

Me, I was looking for some new jeans. So, I got the chance to shop at the White House/Black Market store and snag myself some formerly $90 jeans for $20. I love the style of the clothes there-- very vintage-inspired-- so this was a real treat for me.

I also netted myself a couple of paua shell necklaces from the New York & Company outlet....

Their prices were comparable to what you pay in the stores on-sale, but I was happy with the purchases because I hadn't spied these particular pieces directly in their stores.

And you know what I was saying about making sure you eat? After a couple of rows of shopping, Scoobie and I took an intermission at a nearby Pub/Restaurant, the Elephant & Castle.

They have everything from sandwiches to salads to traditional British pub dishes. I had a burger with a Guinness Barbecue sauce on it... YUM!

And my friend Scoobie, well, she found her leftovers required a doggie, er, rather an elephant bag...

There was dessert in there and Scoobie loves sweets; I kinda have a suspicion she didn't share with the elephant at all.

But if pub food isn't your favorite, the outlet mall also offers a food court, and nearby off-outlet restaurants like Eat & Park, Primanti Brothers, and Wendy's.

So for a fun day out foraging for bargains, you can have your pick of purchase potential at the Grove City outlets.

Have a great week, folks!

Goodwill Outlet Store -and- Wild About Harry

Well, it's been a very merry weekend-- for two reasons.

Let's go to the real thrifty news first.

Now in North Versailles, PA, across Route 30 from the location of the Good Samaritan Thrift Store, Rossi's Pop-up Flea Market and-- to speak in legitimate Pittsburghese-- "Where the Old Ames Department Store Used to Be," is a brand new Goodwill Outlet Store, which just opened November 10.

It's a huge building where everything that didn't sell at their stores in a certain time is sold by the pound. Housewares, furniture, clothes, etc. (I believe there is special pricing for things like electronics.)

Anyway, for local folks who miss the Goodwill that used to be there in North Versailles, across the street, I think you'll find this a pleasure. I'll have to get some contact information for it and update my Thrift Store Listings for the area.

I'm curious, for folks not in our region, have you ever been to a Goodwill Outlet Store? Are there others across the country?

Anyway, next-- I brought home something secondhand of a different nature... Four-month-old black-and-white kitten, Harry, from the local no-kill animal shelter, Animal Friends.

My resident kitten, eight-month-old Alice has been unnaturally grateful to see me when I return home evenings. This seems to have happened after a month where my Dad was there during the day keeping her company. While I love that she misses me so much, the fawning, over-relieved attention she pays me seems a little unhealthy for her. (Or perhaps she's a dog in disguise.) So I thought she might benefit from a little buddy.

Harry has much of Alice's personality-- friendly, happy and playful. So far their initial introductions have gone very well.

I have been informed by friends that two cats doesn't yet make me a Crazy Cat Lady. Crazy, perhaps. Owning cats, yes. But Crazy Cat Lady has apparently an Exceeding Two Cats threshold.

I'm apparently on the brink. :)

And for those who are curious, yes, Harry was named for Harry Potter. It just seemed to balance out well with the other kitten, named for Alice in Wonderland. I tried other literary names, but kinda thought "Atticus Finch" was a little too much nobility to weigh on a four month old kitten.

To all you thrifters and crazy cat ladies and secondhand pet adopters and all my other beloved friends out there, have a great week until I see your shiny faces again, perhaps, for Wednesday's post.