Everyone has to shop and I’ve tried to make it easier for all of you by compiling Montreal’s best stores into a guidebook. In English it’s Smart Shopping Montreal ($21.95)and in French Le Consommateur Averti Montreal ($20.95). If anyone is driving South to warm up, I’ve also written a guide about what to find at every exit on the way to Florida called Drive I-95: Exit by Exit Info, Maps, History and Trivia ($24.95). You can have them autographed too!

Here’s a synopsis of the Smart Shopping Montreal book:

There’s no reason to waste time shopping for price when the job has already been done by this bestselling book. Thousands of loyal readers for the past 28 years have learned to buy it to find all the discount stores where they can save money. Reading it will save you time too.

All it takes to be a smart shopper is knowing how to save time and money while shopping. If you know where to go for the bargains, who to call when something breaks, or where to buy that something special, you’ve accomplished that goal. This book covers all three topics:

Part I of this book covers over 800 locations around the city (and then another 200 in factory buildings) where the smart shopper can save at least 20% on clothing, household, food and leisure products. Why not make your dollar go as far as possible?

Part II helps the smart shopper resist the throw-away nature of our society by leading you to the wonderful repairmen and master craftsmen who can fix those treasures or broken household items (and save you money by not having to buy a new one!).

Lastly, Part III explores the wonderful variety of unique or unusual specialty stores (which can sometimes get a bit pricey) that one can browse through and shop in. The smart shopper knows where they are. Develop a spirit of adventure and an inquiring mind, and seek out these terrific spots in Montreal – a city which is a wonderful blend of European couture and craftsmanship with American know-how.

The first bargain you’ll find is this book.

Synopsis of Drive I-95:

Road trips are back and to help those who travel up and down the East coast, Drive I-95 is a new style of guidebook which combines colorful easy-to-follow pictorial maps and fun stories.

Look ahead exit by exit to see which motels (with 800 numbers), gas stations, restaurants, campgrounds, 24-hour pharmacies, radio stations or radar traps are there.
We share stories: history on I-95, museums, trivia, towns to explore or places to run the kids or your pets. These can be read for entertainment during the drive, and may entice motorists to stop, stretch their legs and discover someplace new.

You can order the guides online (autographed):
www.smartshoppingmontreal.com
www.drivei95.com
Tel: 514-684-4020 (If you want to make arrangements to buy in person)

Around since 2000, Golden Elite Deco Center is a distributor and manufacturer of wooden flooring and vanities. The showroom features flooring, doors, vanities, kitchens, tiles (mosaic tiles, marble tiles and decking tiles) and adhesives selling at warehouse prices.

The types of flooring they sell: hardwood flooring 3/4?, engineered flooring 1/2?, laminate flooring 12.3mm and 8mm, engineered floating floor and vinyl floors. The floors have 10-14 layers of varnish, 1 layer of aluminum oxide anti-scratch and are precision milled (installers love installing their wood because of the milling).

Since they are the manufacturer, you skip the expense of a middle-man so expect savings between 25%-40% which is quite good. Their sales staff is quite knowledgeable as they know the manufacturing process from A to Z, as well as details concerning maintenance, sanding, refinishing and installation.

For one day only, Dec. 26, they will be paying both taxes on any and everything in the store. Stock up now for great savings. This is only applicable to in-store purchases – not on line.
Locations: 88 Brunswick Blvd, DDO; St-Hubert: 3929 boul. Taschereau
corner: (DDO location): rue Tecumseh
Tel: DDO: 514-243-8860 or 888-MGA-8844; St-Hubert: 450-486-3929 or 438-396-4143
Hours: Mon-Wed 8-6, Thurs & Fri 8-8, Sat 10-5
Dates: Dec 26 ONLY
www.goldenelitedeco.com
FB: http://on.fb.me/Zg3Ep7
www.twitter.com/planchersbois

When you want to revitalize your decor with new accessories, look no further than Décors Véronneau. To start with, they have an immense selection of plants and artificial flowers, along with the pots and vases for both indoor and outdoor foliage arrangements.

Their extensive lines of decorative items include: hand-painted paintings, wall hangings, creative mirrors, accent pieces, lamps, rugs and colourful throws and cushions.

Search no further if you are looking for that special something to make your room come alive: wall murals, trunks, sculptures, tables, colored wicker balls, rugs, animal skins rugs, clocks, candles and holders and even home fragrances.

With their expert design team, the company can help both residential and commercial customers with any indoor or outdoor projects. Advice is available on decorating, home staging or an entire renovation project.

Over the years Décors Véronneau has built a wonderful reputation designing artistic and majestic Christmas decorations. Go in and meet the holiday specialists in this city.

Call upon one of their designers/decorators to create a unique & personal setting to suit you. Whether it be for Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, custom creations, decorations, goblins or original ornaments, Véronneau is the place to shop. Décors Véronneau also offers delivery and installation services. Just inquire!

Their Boxing Day sale has already started, so take advantage of the savings. They are selling selected Christmas merchandise at 50% off right now.

Locations: Laval, 2965 Boul. Le Courbusier H7L 3M3 (450-680-1989), Terrebonne, 1200 Ave Yves-Blais J6V 1P7 (450-585-555?); Grandby, 922 Rue Principale J2G 2Z4 (450-991-1554); Quartier DIX30, 8240 Boul.Leduc J4Y 0K7 (450-678-5060)
www.veronneau.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/decorsveronneau/?ref=ts
Twitter: www.twitter.com/veronneaudeco

If you can’t think of a gift to buy, the MList Card is one that you can give to anyone on your list. The recipient can use it all year long to save money as it has deals and offers from over 600 retail locations in the city like: Rod Roy ski school, movie passes, kitchenware at Ares, shoes at Globo, clothes at Schreters, coffee accessories at Tazza di Mattina and lots of restaurant meals. It costs only $30.

MList card is a product set up by the Montreal web site www.mummieslist.com. The site helps parents find things to do and buy in the city. The cards are sold through them by different organizations to help fundraise. In this instance, the donation will go to a good cause, a school, St Thomas High School. You will receive a wallet-size card and a key ring too. So it is possible for two people to have access to it.

Please use the code STH2016 in order for them to get their funds or use the direct link below.

http://www.mummieslist.com/buy-mummy-card/code=STH2016
www.mymlist.com USE code STH2016

Luggage is one of those areas where it’s so hard to shop as it is like comparing apples and oranges. Each brand has many many names of lines and – soft, hard, lightweight or even dufflebag types. The best way to shop for it, is to shop at a luggage store where the proprietor knows the products well and can steer you to the right one for your needs. Here in Montreal that could be either Jet-setter or J.P. Grimard .

The one thing owners Vince Mercureo at J.P. Grimard and Chuck Breger of Jet-setter let me know was that lightweight luggage means that structure/frame has been lightened. So aiming for the “lightest” is not a good idea. You need to balance light with strong-ish.

Will you be mostly using your luggage for driving or flying trips? If flying, you have to be aware of the baggage weight restrictions as the costs for overweight are getting higher. Even carry-ons will be weighed soon (some airlines are already doing this) and the size for carry-ons is getting smaller. Since airlines started charging fees for luggage, travelers are bringing more (and heavier) carry-ons. Airlines are interested in reducing weight to reduce fuel costs (and keeping those prices competitive for us).

Light feels wonderful when empty but you will still probably be filling it to the max of 44 lbs  (or 50 lbs. for Air Canada) whether your luggage started out as 6 lbs or 9 lbs.

If your luggage is very light it will not survive when it is thrown around in the airport or if it is the bottom one on a pile of 4 or 5 pieces on a cart or conveyor belt. You need a decent frame to save it. A great tip by Vince, “Never pack it half empty” as it’s more crushable. Filling it up protects the case and the frame.

If you are only flying perhaps twice a year, buy a medium grade lightweight; Upgrade to better made models if you’re a frequent flyer.

I couldn’t exactly compare  size/weight as the height for a medium size varies between 24″, 25″ or 26″. Look at the width of the bag to see how much it really holds. In general, nylon is better than polyester and usually a 10″ zipper is stronger than a  8″.

Here are a few lightweight ones I found (at J.P. Grimard and Jetsetter) in order of weight: 5.3 lbs. Antler Aire, 6.8 lbs. (at Jetsetter), Samsonite Base Hits Ultralight 24″, 6.8 lbs. Delsey U-lite Classic,  7 lbs. Antler Cyber Lite, 8.1 (both stores), Delsey Helium Pilot (expandable), 8 lbs. Samsonite Lift Two.

After repairing luggage for 79 years, J.P. Grimard has finally put all their ideas for best luggage into their own line called, D-Light. It comes either in hard sided (2 price ranges) or soft side. They’ve put a QR code  on each so scanners can find out where it is. They have chosen, of course, good zippers, wheels, and fabric. Yes they are slightly heavier than the ones above but will last longer.

Travel Accessories for Stocking Stuffers at Jet-setter

– Travelon dry sheets of shampoo, laundry soap, body wash, hand soap. You are not carrying extra weight in water and there will be no leaking into your suitcase.

– Stretch fabric luggage covers. If you have black luggage, you can slip this over your case for the airport  in order to find your bag easily. Pretty scenes are of Venice, NYC., etc.

– GoToob squeezable travel bottles. Collapse as you use them up to take up less room. You don’t have to carry the full weight of your favorite giant shampoo bottles, etc.

– Girly Go Garter is a moneybelt which you wear around your upper leg. Good for clubbing or traveling.

– VINNI bag is a thick inflatable plastic bag for you to carry wine, sauces, or breakables.

– Packing bags. Since lightweight luggage has removed all the pockets, you need these to sort everything. Buying color-coded ones makes finding things in the suitcase so easy: blue=shirts, green= pants, etc.

J. P. Grimard is located at: 177 Beaubien est at Casgrain.
Tel: 514-277-4171
Hours: Mon-Wed 9-6, Thurs & Fri 9-8, Sat 9-5
www.jpgrimard.com

Jet-setter is located at 66 Laurier ouest at Clark
Tel: 514-271-5058
Hours: Regular plus Sun 12-5
www.jet-setter.ca

Wow. Double Wow. Sim Centre de Liquidation is a clearance center for a huge un-nameable low Cost warehouse store, with a further 30% or more off on the price. Those of you further North, can shop closer to home in St-Jerome.

Returned items (phones, toys, clothing, furniture, auto, bedding, etc.) and stuff in broken boxes from their huge aisles (except fresh food) are sent to this location 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.

Locations: 341 ave. Ranger, Vaudreuil – Dorion J7V 2X3 (450-424-0998) and 850 Boul. des Laurentides St. Jerome QC J7Z 4N1 (450-438-8631)
corner (Vaudreuil-Dorion): rue Chicoine
Times: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thurs & Fri 10-8, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5

http://simcentredeliquidation.ca/
FB: http://on.fb.me/1WPvOHI

Warshaw Maison, facing the Atwater market, concentrates on really well-priced kitchen and household items.  The store is chock full of serving dishes, gadgets, baking dishes, table linens, placemats, shower curtains, bathroom accessories, area rugs and runners, plants, and a big espresso section.

If you love real coffee and live on the western side of Montreal, you now have an option of a place near home to buy coffee makers, coffee, and supplies. La boutique du café Tazza di Mattina is located in Roxboro and they carry Saeco, Jura, Caffitaly, Rancilio espresso and cappuccino machines, and coffee.

For the holidays, they make up delicious coffee and sweets gift baskets – perfect for so many people. For Christmas, you can buy pannetones too.

Coffee imported from Italy is sold there. You can purchase ground coffee and coffee beans from Gloria, Caffé Harmonia and Dolce Vita. They have a selection of tea and teapots from My Cup Of Tea. Accessories for tea and coffee are here as in frothers and cups of different sizes in glass and ceramic. Various cleaning products for all coffee and cappuccino makers are found as well.

If you want to buy a more traditional gift, you can find the old-fashioned Italian stove top coffee makers here. You’ll have a choice of many different sizes in brands Vev, Bialetti & Laila. Pretty colorful lines of accessories of home and tableware by Guzzini and Bugatti are available too.

This is also a local repair depot; They can fix your machine on site  if it breaks – no more lugging it all the way downtown.

Location: 5 Commercial Ave, Roxboro QC, H8Y 2N9
corner: boul Gouin
Tel: 514-684-6161
Hours: Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-5
www.tazzadimattina.ca  FB: http://on.fb.me/1eNfNva

Look around your house and you’ll probably notice quite a few scratches on your beautiful wood furniture. Yet, you don’t want to send it off somewhere where it will disappear for awhile while it is being refinished. What to do? Just call this gentleman, who is a experienced professional craftsman and he’ll come to your location to fix it on the spot. Whether it’s scratches, worn edges, dents, watermarks, or a big gouge, he can handle it all expertly.

Antiques, bedroom & dining room sets, kitchen cabinets, and office furniture can all be touched up on site – that’s in your home or place of business. He is happy to work on commercial accounts too.

If you have newly installed wooden windows, he can stain and varnish the interior of the wooden windows to match your decorating scheme.

He specializes at refinishing exterior entrance doors and garage doors to make them look new.

For Free Estimates, just call Henry and he’ll be happy to check out your problem.

www.woodfinishingmontreal.com
Tel: 514-369-0295