All Recessionistas are bonkers for closeout stores, and I’m no exception.  My neighborhood used to house an AJ Wright, which was the lowest on the totem pole of Marshall’s & TJ Max.  Not always great fashion finds, but housewares and Christmas gifts? Score.  Well, that closed about 2 years ago. My next beloved to be torn from my bargain shopping repertoire was Value City.  Oh, how I loved their low, low prices, despite the surly cashiers and the smell of poor people. (You see, readers – the idea is to shop like you’re poor, not act like it.)  I would go in there almost every weekend and risk being trampled by the Queens of Comedy to find something to wear out that night.  They closed around November of this year – and though my heart was broken, it was time to move on and find a new discount store to embrace.  Enter Gabriel Brothers.

One opened in Dayton some time ago, and I finally got around to making regular visits this year.  I’d found some great stuff – small appliances, luggage, glassware – all for dirt cheap.  But, it wasn’t making the grade as far as women’s or junior’s clothing goes. 

Well, now I bite my tongue.  I almost pissed my bargain basement pants when I walked into Gabriel Brothers yesterday.  A sea of cute, summer dresses as far as they eye could see – or at least about 30 feet.  I was all up in it like Supermarket Sweeps!  I ended up buying nearly half of the dresses I tried on (five total) and walked out the door for under $40, tax included. 

My big win was this rad Soundgirl Safari dress, which was only $10: http://www.80spurple.com/catalog/images/1small/soundgirl_d0220blk1.jpg.

They also had a lot of other great deals, which although not my thing, should not be passed up.  Check the juniors section (at least here in the Dayton store) for $3 Miss Sixty jeans.  Yeah, that’s American dollars.  Also, Bob Masse concert and pinup art screen print tees, also for around $3.  They also have these $5 cut-out wedge sandals that make you look like you’re from the future. So, if you’re good at NOT falling down stairs (i.e. NOT me), grab a pair and tell me if they allow you to teleport.

If there is a Burlington Coat Factory* in your neck of the woods, check that out, too.  Normally closeout stores have terrible men’s and young men’s clothing collections, but BCF is pretty on top of the trends (whether you like them or not).  They had a pretty great selection of women’s dresses, suits and denim, too.  While their prices may not be as crazy low as Gabriel Bros., they’re flossin’ a little bit higher with brand names such as Calvin Klein, DKNY and Nine West.

If you’re a lady above 5’8”, I suggest cruising their massive collection of maxi dresses.  If you’re on the shorter side, though, please don’t kid yourself. These dresses are not for you, my fellow elfin princesses.  I scored the perfect pair of t-strap wedge sandals here for $15.

*Sweet Pickles footnote: For the last time, they don’t just sell coats.