Linen Wars. Sheet Scuffles. Bedding Battles. The power of the pen always amazes me, and sometimes I find it a bit overwhelming how my words can shape a business venture. A few years ago, I wrote about a manufacturer which was having its first warehouse sale. This was a linen manufacturer that sold mainly to US stores.

The company had always been reluctant to sell retail, so this was a first testing of the waters. I got wind of it and wrote it up. The sale was a huge success and whetted their appetite for more. They repeated the sales, and now they have decided to open a retail store for a period – that would be Literie Liquidation, the first one below.

Now this is the interesting part. Where did they decide to open up? Just like when you go shopping for cars and there are automobile dealerships lined up in a row down one street, we have a bit of a linen quartier in Montreal, and it is around the Boul St. Laurent/Chabanel/Louvain area.

Now it gets even juicier. For a quarter of a century, there has been a “secret” Saturday linen sale on Louvain. Suddenly, this manufacturer is increasing the time it is open to the public to include Fridays. Does it have something to do with the competition around the corner in the neighborhood because…

There has been another manufacturer (Universal, Maison Condelle/Merrimack) that committed itself to running a retail store on boul. St Laurent and has obviously done well with the concept, and so now Literie Liquidation has set up shop right across the street.

Literie Liquidation, 9380 boul. St Laurent at Louvain St. Hours: Thursday and Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. We have a dearth of places to get any sort of a deal on quality bedding in this city, so deals from this 59-year-old company are worth checking out. Expect to find coordinated bedroom ensembles displayed on fake beds in jacquard and sateen, etc. High end thread count sheets (sets starting at $15), pillowcases, bedspreads, duvet comforters, decorative pillows, shams and some window treatments (starting $15.99) fill out the stock. The prices range from 50% to 80% off from this season’s regular lines, as well as discounts and closeouts on samples and last year’s goods. Multi-piece sets from four to twenty pieces start at $50.99 and “ decision-in-a-bag” sheet sets start at $15. Register online for a $25 gift certificate, and sign up to be notified of the sales and for promotions and coupons. http://www.lawrencehome.com/register

Super Sale, 120 Louvain West at St. Laurent Blvd. Phone: 514-384-8290. Hours: Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 6:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. For the past twenty-six years, this bedding manufacturer has been selling off overstocked products to retail customers in the know who line up to get in. There are ads placed in local ethnic newspapers (Greek, Italian, the Metro and more) to announce the date, but you can call the number above and ask. The large warehouse space offers high thread count sheets (percale sometimes to 600!), bedspreads, comforters (twin starts at $10, queen $25), tons of comforter sets and decorative and regular pillows ($5, $7). For the rest of the house, there’s now tablecloths, shower and living room curtains (and rods), rugs and towels for kitchen and bath. While they last, there’s a clearance going on for 7-piece queen jacquard comforter sets for only $60.

Universal, 9399 St. Laurent Blvd at Louvain St. Phone: 514-383-7803. Hours: Monday to Wednesday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A major linen manufacturer has set up this space for overstocked items at rock bottom prices. In boxes neatly lined up in rows, with most prices marked, you can find: double comforters $30 or $40 for a queen, twin comforter sets (shams and cases) for $25, queen jacquard sets $70, and synthetic duvets $34.99. Other items available are curtains panels for $5 & up, mattress pads $10 -$15, $5 for decorative pillows and $3 for hand towels. Don’t forget the 10 for $10 bin with odds and ends of curtains, sheets, fabric or whatever.

Fashion designer Tonia’s DeBellis belief is that fashion is less about following trends and more about creating one’s own personal style. For her the Optionelle Collection, she strives for growth within her collection from one season to the next rather than jumping onto “what’s hot”. She is known for her everyday glam look which combines fashion and function and for her infinite attention to detail. You can see her clothing at www.optionelle.com and then attend an Open House in order to try (sizes mostly 6-18 but some come in 4 or 20) and buy. Please call for appointment time (514-684-0370). If you bring a friend, you can receive a 10% discount. Earlybirds might be able to reserve sample pieces at 30% discount (delivery Dec. 1/07)!! Open House hours: Monday & Tuesday, August. 20th and 21st from 1-4pm and again 7-9pm. Thursday & Friday Aug. 23rd and 24th from 1-4pm and 7-9pm.

Those of you who love to experiment with new colors of lipsticks, eye shadow and blush, Rhoda’s Cosmetics will be having a sidewalk sale on Tuesday Aug 21 and Wednesday Aug 23. Also in front of the store will be odds and ends of giftware, jewelry and cosmetic bags all at inventory blowout prices of 50% off or more. Inside the store other items are already on sale. Location: 5791 Victoria Ave. corner of Bourret Ave, Snowdon. Phone: 514-737-5658

There’s a bedding Super Sale at 120 Louvain St. at the corner of St. Laurent Blvd. For the past 26 years (monthly), this bedding manufacturer has been selling off overstocked products to retail customers in the know who line up to get in. The large warehouse space offers incredible prices with comforters starting at $10, comforter sets $40, bathroom ensembles $17, bath towels 2/$1.50, drapery panels $5, 7-pc. bedroom ensembles $60, queen jacquard bed cover with pillow shams $50, decorative pillow $3, lots of table cloths $4 and more: place mats, dishtowels, pillow protectors, and high thread-count sheets – sometimes even up to 600 percale. Dates and time: Friday August 17th 11 am-6 pm and Saturday 6:30 am -12 pm

If you would like to own a made-to-measure suit with London’s Savile Row fit (taking 19 different measurements), but at Hong Kong’s prices (starting at $425 and only going up to $725), you might want to stop by the suite of The Tailored Man. He will be in Montreal next week from August 20th through August 25th. Dates and places: Monday and Tuesday August 20th & 21st at the Sheraton Centre, 1250 Rene Levesque West, Phone: 514- 878-2000; Wednesday and Thursday August 22nd and 23rd at Ruby Foo’s Hotel, 7655 Decarie Blvd. Phone: 514-731-7701; and then Friday and Saturday August 24th and 25th at the Sheraton Laval, 2440 Autoroute des Laurentides, Phone: 450-687-2440. Speak to Sunder Daswani to set up a personal appointment: 877-984-3339.

Back to school shopping has become a two-pronged adventure for parents. With many schools requiring school uniforms or school colors, there is the adventure to find these at a reasonable prices. They are supposed to cut down on the costs of clothing, since you believe that you no longer have to buy a whole new varied wardrobe for the kids.

Uniforms reduce peer pressure in schools by avoiding the competition for fancier designer names on kids’ bums, and more to the point, a child never has to worry about wearing the wrong thing, or worse, something you chose for them for which they would’ve been laughed at. And more importantly, you really do avoid the morning panic of “What do I wear to school?”.

You still, however, have to buy your children a wardrobe of clothing for when they are not in school. This is still a lesson for them in learning about their own individuality (which is lost with the uniforms), and as well, discovering how to think for themselves.

The businesses below, offer you both options at really reasonable prices. This way you can buy both wardrobes and still not break the bank.

Moni, 1000 Beaumont Ave. in rear at l’Acadie Blvd. Phone: 514-273-2544. Hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday (only in August and September). Tucked away at the rear of the Kute Knit factory, you must go up a flight of stairs to check out this spot for children’s casual clothes. Deals could be as low as a two-piece outfit for $5. Look for skirts, pants and tops in sizes newborn to 20. There are excellent prices on school uniforms: jumpers $15, pants $12 to $16, polo shirts starting at $6 and dress shirts starting at $10. Parents can score too, as adult fleece jogging sets can be as low as $10, and there’s casual tops and bottoms for men and women. Don’t miss the $1, $3 and $5 racks.

Les Textiles Goldtex, 8875 Salley St. at Dollard Ave., Lasalle. Phone: 514-365-9699. Hours: Monday to Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You have to go out of your way to find this superb outlet hidden amongst the factories, but it’s worth it. The multitude of brands found are: Gusti, Kricket, Cora, Oshkosh, Tommy Hilfiger, Deux par Deux and Perry Ellis in sizes from newborn to 18. The school color (mostly navy, white and only bit of gray) code section offers you cardigans, tunics, skirts, pants, white dress shirts and polo tops (long and short), and is found in the upper mezzanine, along with fancy party dresses (Mon Cheri), suits, tuxedos and outfits for communion and baptism. If you also have an infant at home (or on the way), this place is heaven for Perlim Pin Pin bedding and comforter sets (Bebe Confort, Karla, Perlim Pin Pin), which can be bought for as low as five pieces for $275. You can pick up hooded baby bath towels for only $3 and sleepers four for $12. Baby accessories are by Evenflo, Safety First, Graco and BB Tresor (nursing pillows). Cribs are here too, by Little Angel and Graco, and strollers by Peg Perego, Graco, Safety First and Evenflo.

Symbole Jr., 399 Notre Dame St. West at McGill St., Old Montreal. Phone: 514-289-9145. Hours: Monday to Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday 930 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is a mini chain store across the city which concentrates on the kiddies, with clothes for boys and girls, from infant sleepers and camisoles to jr. teens (some up to 16) and party clothes. Racks prices are amazing at $3, $5, $8 and $10. School color coded clothing (gray, black or navy) is stocked in polo shirts (long sleeve and short) for $12.99, button down shirts for $4.99-$12.99, girls’ tunics and skirts for $7.99. If it’s names like Baby Gro, 3D Kids, Val & Mik or Baby Bell that you’re searching for, then this is your kind of place. Other locations (hours vary): Panic, 33 Chabanel W. (514-388-2524); Le Petit Coeur, 5727 Ave. du Parc (514-270-8300); Entrepot Panic (some ladies’ and men’s clothes here), 3022 Masson St. (514-721-6512); Panic, 6717 St. Hubert St. (514-271-3315); Panic, Place Vertu (514-337-3131); Panic, 4307 Wellington St. (514-769-8181).

This is one of the treats of living in Montreal. You can go up to this sample sale and score next season’s separates and knitwear for a mere $10 or $20. FYI, online the colors that they are showing for Spring 2008 are white and bright deep orange. The labels you’ll see at the sale are Dalia, Renuar and Katherine Barclay. You’ll find them at

225 Chabanel St, Suite 315.
Sale runs: August 23 & 24 11 am – 8 pm, August 25 9 am – 2 pm, Aug 30 & 31 11am -8 pm, September 1 9 am -2 pm. www.daliacollection.com

Gilbert & Daughter, 49 Donegani St. at Sources Blvd., Pointe Claire, (Phone 514-695-3107) has great discounted prices all year on women’s clothing (sizes 4-24) for work and play. Ever so often they run a special sale that is really special. So from right now until Sunday August 12th (Wednesday 10am-6pm, Thursday and Friday 10 am to 9 pm, Saturday & Sunday 10 am – 5 pm) not only are all the prices 50% less but they will be giving an additional 50% off that already low price. These are the kind of deals you usually only find in the States.

Haven’t seen this one before and haven’t checked it out. On Thursday and Friday August 9th and 10th from 10 a.m to 9 p.m., there is a bankruptcy sale for golf equipment. 11-piece MLH sets were $400 and they are selling for $99, other sets for $199. Jazz, Wilson drivers 460cc are only $39.99, carts $59.99. Clothing (the headline is frenglish thoushand and thoushand) is 80% off with Top flite golf shirts are a mere $5, ladies Nike and Ep Pro $19.99 or 2/$30, Ram windbreakers for $19.99 and a Cutter and Buck shirt (reg. $100) for $19.99 or 2/$30. Let me know if you go, if you think it is good. Location: Holiday Inn Pointe Claire, 6700 Transcanadienne, Pointe Claire (Exit St. Jean Blvd. Sud).

Archambault, 500 Ste. Catherine St. East at Berri St. Phone: 514-849-6201. 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 Archambault has a piano sale each August (this year it’s August 24-Sept 2) which it advertises. However, people in the know, can take advantage of this insider information: you can call the piano department for a pre-sale starting on August 14th. So go in ahead of time and check out the selection and get in front ahead of the line. If you know the piano that you want, they can hold it for you with a deposit til the sale starts. 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. It is here that the Yamaha pianos from camps at Orford and Lanaudiere are being cleared out. There are pianos from their regular stock on sale as well