If you’re having company for Labor Day, bakery Les Delices La Frenaie has  locations – east, west, south and Laval, so they’re easy to get to wherever you live. Montreal West is one you may not know about. They have been a fixture in St-Leonard for years and you can find just about any kind of cake you could want.

Come here for: Bacio, Key Lime Cheesecake (15 others), Frutti di bosco, Dulce de Leche, Orange or Walnut pound cake (16 others), Limoncello, Heavenly Berry and Milky Way in 8″ or 10″ sizes (this can serve about 20). Some can be ordered 36 hours in advance for more than 20 people.

Sandra’s newest favorite is the understatedly named, Fruitcake. Imagine a Strawberry Shortcake made with an assortment of fresh fruit. It is light, whipped creamy, and not overly sweet.

The best deal is the apple, lemon, chocolate chip, or cinnamon marble cakes. I really like the amaretti biscotti. Trays of pizza (tomato, white, all dressed and vegetarian) can be ordered.

Locations:  8405  Lafrenaie at Jarry (514-324-8039); Rosemere, 199F Cure-Labelle (450-430-4222); 58A boul. Brunswick (514-542-4242) at boul. des Sources; 51 Westminster Ave N, Montreal-West (514-312-2253); 1276 Dollard, LaSalle (514- 363-8776); 8245 boul Taschereau, suite B12 Brossard (450-462-4000).
Regular Hours: Mon-Fri 6-5, Sat 6-2
www.lesdeliceslafrenaie.com

It’s officially the last week of summer before our fall routines set in, so why not enjoy a little shopping time at Raffinalla’s Summer Sale. Lucky you, because Raffinalla (Le Groupe Raffinati), the well-known well-made Montreal label is having an end of season sale.

Save big on Spring & Summer Fashions.  Summer & Fall samples and overstock (all sizes available), #PerfectFitPant also available in plus & petite sizes, Comfort Fit Leggings, sportswear, coats, belts & scarves.

Each product from the Raffinalla line is conceived, cut, sewn, tested and inspected in the brand’s headquarters – it doesn’t get more local than that. Raffinalla carefully chooses fabrics imported from all over the world.

It is quite satisfying when you can buy these masterly constructed and designed garments on sale. Women love the timelessness of their designs, so they can keep collecting pieces to build wardrobes.

Head out and take advantage of this end of season sale offering quality stylish apparel at fantastic savings.

Location: 9200 Meilleur, suite 400
corner: Chabanel
Phone: 514-327-4477, 514-979-4764
Dates: Tues – Fri, Aug 28-31, 2018
Hours: 10-5
Private appointments welcome.
Metro: Station Cremazie, Bus 146
raffinalla.com

We are so lucky in Montreal to have manufacturers at our doorstep so we can take advantage of the pricing that that allows. With the cooler Autumn air at our doorstep, this is the time to go get yourself, your teen, your mate a leather jacket at Creations Jez. It’s even better because they are located right here, so you can have them make it exactly the way you would like it (add a hood? phone pocket inside? longer or shorter?). Think about getting  jackets or coats, blazers, skirts or pants in an endless selection of colors.

This would be a great time to scoop up a three-button leather blazer. It is not only practical worn indoors or out, but is a forever fashionable garment to be included in your wardrobe. It completes any look, whether business or casual.

For the past 35 years, this friendly family business has been known for their creativity, quality and a high level of customer satisfaction. If you love leather fashion, be sure to head straight to this sale.

Isn’t it great to be able to get a garment designed and made in Montreal with an emphasis on sleek and functional styles.

Location: 1625 Chabanel Ouest #1080, Montreal H4N 2S7
Corner: between boul l’Acadie and Hwy 15
Dates: Nov 11- 18, 2017
Hours: Mon – Fri 9 – 4, Sat 8 – 2
Tel: 514- 279-4547
Metro: Acadie or Cremazie
www.creationsjez.ca
inquiries@creationsjez.ca

If your kids are coming home from sleep away camp with loads of dirty clothing and you don’t have time to get to all that work, why not try Bellingham Cleaners’ wash and fold service? They even offer you home or office pick up.

It’s time to take a look around the house to freshen things up now that summer is coming to and end and you will be spending inside. So if you would like to clean your drapes, window coverings , pillows or duvets –  think Bellingham Cleaners and Tailors.

Would you sleep on the same sheets for 6 months? So why haven’t you ever had your pillow cleaned? They will sanitize, deodorize, clean, and fluff you pillow – and – replace the cover. Is it too difficult to remove and rehang your drapes and window coverings? They’ll send someone to do it for you so you can send them in for a cleaning along with the bedding and decorative cushions

No time for laundry? For busy people, they offer a wash and fold service. Whites and coloured items are washed separately – and – independently of other peoples’ clothes. There’s free pick up and delivery. The minimum order is for 10 lbs. Their Bates Rd. location even has Quebec’s first drive-thru service and a 24-hour night deposit box using VIP bags.

Their Deluxe Service handles delicate garments individually:

* garments individually cleaned in virgin solvent
* buttons are removed to prevent damage
* items are hand-pressed,
* double inspection procedure
* garments are stuffed with tissue paper to preserve their form

– For garment repairs (even suede and leather), every day there are seamstresses and a changing room, so quick fixes can be sewn while you wait.
– Home or office pick-up service is available over most of the island.
– Bellingham Cleaners are the only cleaners in the province of Quebec who are certified by the worldwide Association of Wedding Gown Specialists.

TMR Location: 2655 Bates Rd, Montreal , plus pickup/delivery service
corner: Wilderton
Tel: 514-733-4444
Hours: Mon-Wed 7:30-6:30, Thurs & Fri 7:30-7, Sat 8-5, Sun 11-5
www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=167

Everything you need to mash and cook those tomatoes for canning your own pasta sauce can be found at Lingerie Pina & Carmelo Sacco – including a 100 litre pot (big enough to take a soak in)!  If you have tons of zucchini, eggplant or peppers and you want to preserve them, this is THE place to find everything you may need – and it has been for generations.

The store has it all. It’s one that I love to browse through.  You can find so many hard to find things here.  Do you know where else to buy  housecoats or cotton handkerchiefs? They have bedroom slippers too; If your size isn’t here, they will order them for you.

If you have a wedding planned this year, the Mother of the Bride could find an outfit, the bridal party too and you can even get bonbonnieres made-to-order and wrapped.  They offer a Bridal Registry and there are gifts galore.

The name  clearly does not define this family business as you’ll find and housewares: silverware, china, espresso makers and meat slicers. If you are looking for ecological cookware, they sell Cool Kitchen which has no PTFE, no PFOA and can be used for induction cooking. The Italian community knows to come here for Pizzel machines for cookies and Cavetelli machines for gnocchi, Those who like collectibles will find: Precious Moments, Walt Disney Collection and Disney Traditions by Jim Shore.

Designers are here to help you with curtains (free installation), and they have the exclusive Hunter Douglas Alustra line with copper and chrome headers. If you need them, there’s carpet runners by the yard  – and also hard to find plasticized fabric by the yard.

I can’t believe I even scored a warm hood which I’ll have my dressmaker “zipper on” to my new travel jacket.

Location: 8365 boul. Viau, St-Leonard QC H1R 2T6
corner: boul. Robert
Tel: 514-323-0427

Hours: Mon-Wed 9-6, Thurs & Fri 9-7:30, Sat 9-5. Open Sunday 10-5 from Labor Day – June 1st

Even if you are not setting up a college dorm, you can take advantage of Liquideco‘s fab sale where you can save 80% off the necessities to spruce up your home.

Free parking available. All taxes are included in the prices. Cash only.

I bet you didn’t know that Maison Corbeil had a clearance center. It’s up in Laval and they are having a warehouse sale until the 19th of the month.

It was 36 years ago when Raymond and Colette Corbeil opened their modern avant-garde home furniture store. Now the second generation is in charge.

If you love the look of their high-end furniture but cannot afford the price tags, you can head to this warehouse store and save 35% to 70% off.  It has some end-of-line items, stock changes and slightly damaged pieces at clearance prices.

Location: 2750 Francis-Hugues, Laval
corner: Autoroute 440
Tel: 450-978-4847
Hours: daily, opens at 11 am
Dates: until August 19
www.maisoncorbeil.com

Iegor is holding an auction for jewelry, International Art, Antiques, Canadian Art and colletibles. Even if you can’t make it there, the auction will be held simultaneously on location and LIVE on www.iegor.net

If you have something to sell, their experts can  assess your property in the following departments:  Canadian and International art , antiques, fine vintage wines, fashion and jewelry, 20th century design, art of Asia, India, Africa, Oceania and South America, rare books, scrolls and collectibles.

For important collections you may schedule an evaluation on site or at your residence by calling for an appointment.

Location: Hotel, des Encans, 870, rue du Couvent H4C 2R6
Tel: 514- 344-4081
Date and time: Aug 14: 7:30 pm
Preview: Aug 10, 11, 13, 14: 12-5
info@iegor.net
www.iegor.net

This store was one of my first OMG moments when writing my Smart Shopping Montreal book. Sim Centre de Liquidation is a “secret” clearance center for a huge un-nameable low “Cost” warehouse store. Here the prices go even lower as they discount 30% or more off on the already low prices from that chain – and all prices include the taxes, Wow! Who doesn’t like a good deal? At  that’s exactly what you get here.

There is no membership required at this liquidation center, therefore saving you even more money.

Returned items or items that just needed to be cleared out to make room for new merchandise (electronics, toys, clothing, auto, housewares, etc.) are sent to this store every week. All items are checked to make sure they work.

The friendly proprietors even keep a reservation book and will call you if an item you are looking for shows up.

You will be amazed at your finds and will keep going back to check out the new arrivals and great savings.

Locations: 341 ave. Ranger, Vaudreuil – Dorion J7V 2X3 (450-424-0998)
corner: rue Chicoine
Times: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thurs & Fri 10-8, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5
simcentredeliquidation.ca/