news-record.com

GREENSBORO -- The brands are familiar: Hollister, Express, American Eagle, True Religion, Juicy Couture and more.

What's not familiar? Paying $15 for an Abercrombie & Fitch shirt that would normally sell for $60 to $70.

That's just one example of what you will pay at the new Uptown Cheapskate resale store in Greensboro.

Although the clothes and accessories are mostly used, Steve Weaver, husband of Uptown Cheapskate owner Christine Weaver, insists you'll be hard-pressed to tell the difference.

"The quality of the clothing is going to be immaculate because we've got a very, very thorough inspection process," said Weaver, standing inside the store Tuesday at 2130-E New Garden Road near Battleground Avenue, as workers put the finishing touches on the interior.

Weaver hopes to make the shopping experience feel a little more upscale than what you may have experienced at used clothing stores.

That means more spacious aisles and larger dressing rooms featuring full-length mirrors.

Even the hangers are made of solid mahogany.

The store will open in early June. But right now, you can help build Uptown Cheapskate's inventory while earning some extra dough.

The store will buy your stuff -- new or used -- such as clothes, shoes, belts, purses and jewelry with cash on the spot. You can also opt for store credit for 25 percent more value.

Clothes they won't accept include those with holes, rips, ring around the collar, sweat stains, peeling fabric and loose stitching.

Clothes deemed out of style won't be accepted either.

Stop by from 1 to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Call 617-7000 for more information.

More details are online at http://uptowncheapskate.com/greensboro.

There's also a video on YouTube showcasing Uptown Cheapskate's Salt Lake City store, the first one to open. The link is http://snipr.com/gxkt3.

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Using your bike pedal instead of your gas pedal in downtown Greensboro today could spell savings.

Bicyclists can get discounts from some downtown retailers from 6 to 9 p.m. or later today as part of an initiative geared toward promoting camaraderie and healthy living.

Just mention the one-day promotion and show your bicycle helmet.

The event coincides with First Friday, downtown Greensboro's efforts to promote the local arts scene.

Details, including a list of participating merchants and a map of downtown bicycle racks, are available online at http://bikegso.org.

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 If you're planning on scoping out local yard sales for bargains this weekend, be sure to check out my blog, Bargain Blog, to view a Google locator map that is posted by 9 a.m. on Fridays at news-record.com.

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 Become Web savvy! Subscribe to the Bargain Bytes e-newsletter at www.news-record.com/bargains. Sign up for my Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/bargainblog.

Do you have retail news or shopping tips for Savvy Shopper? Contact Mike Fuchs at 373-3465 or michael.fuchs@news-record.com