GREENSBORO — Debbie Foster is on a designer jeans treasure hunt at ReFab Exchange Boutique.
"My sister found a pair of True Religion jeans here," Foster said, browsing the aisles inside the Lawndale Avenue store. "And she got them for $50, so I was hoping I can run across something like that. They're $250-jeans."
Foster and other frugal fashionistas have been in designer jeans heaven since the store opened three months ago.
Offering jeans at a fraction of what you'd pay at a high-end department store has paid off for store owner Jennie Barnes, who has seen steady business since she opened.
"If you can have a lot of the designer things that you like for a lot less money, then you're obviously gonna go there," Barnes said.
Examples include a pair of Diesel jeans for $57 that would cost $250 new. Or a pair of Juicy Couture corduroy jeans for $61 that are $250 new.
"Some of the things that I really value and like and looked for was always the premium denim jeans," Barnes said. "So I've got tons of premium denim."
When she opened, most of her inventory came from friends who worked in the fashion industry.
Customers have since been trading in their clothes for cash or credit.
Barnes sells clothes that are in slightly used condition, although some are new and have the original tags on them.
"Everything has to be in really good shape," she said.
It's not just jeans the store sells. Other items include long-sleeve sweaters, T-shirts, dresses, shoes, suits, dress pants, purses and jewelry.
"We're trying to give them a nice, clean, more boutique-style environment instead of clutter and hard-to-find," she said. "Everything's where it should be."
ReFab Exchange Boutique is at 2148 Lawndale Drive in the Lawndale Center. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The store number is 378-9899.
Watch a slideshow about the store.
You can also follow ReFab on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ReFabBoutique. The store's Facebook page is at http://bit.ly/WWi68.
For more information, visit http://refabonline.com/main.
* * * * *
Get discounts and other deals at Four Seasons Town Centre.
The mall has teamed up with TLC's "What Not to Wear" TV show in offering gift card giveaways, special discounts and retail promotions.
The event continues through today.
Deals such as a $10 mall gift card if you spend at least $75 and buy one, get one free deals are offered by about a dozen retailers.
Discounts of 15 to 50 percent are also being offered.
All mall visitors get free shop smart style guides featuring style and fashion tips.
For more information, visit www.shopsmartlookfab.com.
* * * * *
Mechelle's Resale Shoppe, which I featured in Savvy Shopper in May, has moved into bigger digs.
It's now at 403 State St., Greensboro beside the Pewter Place.
"I have great deals on new and resale fall merchandise arriving daily," store owner Mechelle Lindenberg told me in an e-mail. "I also have new market samples of accessories for your home and furniture as well."
She's having daily $5 dollar specials on items such as home accessories, pocketbooks and T-shirts.
Hours are by appointment only Monday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
The store number is 574-4496.
* * * * *
Brahmin is showcasing its fall line of handbags and leather goods during a "girls night out" event at Belk stores Wednesday.
Belk is offering 20 percent off regular and sale prices during the event, which is from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The event also features music, refreshments and giveaways.
The Belk stores in Greensboro that are participating are at Friendly Center and Four Seasons Towne Centre.
* * * * *
Cinema Bingo is hosting an "Inside Community Yard Sale" in Kernersville on Saturday.
Reserve a table to sell your stuff or just shop around.
It starts at 7:30 a.m. and is at 744-H Cinema Drive.
Call 310-4641 for more information.
* * * * *
Become Web savvy. Check out the Bargain Blog, where you can also sign up to become a fan of the blog's Facebook page.
Also, subscribe to the free, weekly Bargain Bytes e-newsletter at www.news-record.com/bargains. You can also sign up for my Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/bargainblog.
Contact Mike Fuchs at 373-3465 or michael.fuchs@news-record.com
Not all of the newspaper's content appears online.
*There is a fee for downloading some older articles.