Shop Talk: ShopTalk

TREASURE HAUNTS . . . You're not in the market for a sofa or dining room table, but you're looking for something interesting? Check in regularly with these local furniture consignment shops and you'll find some new-to-you treasures. Judith A. Frost and Company has this red wooden antique Chinese water bucket for $135. A shapely brass lady holds aloft five candle holders, all supported by a reddish marble base. A pair is $400. Consignment Showcase has a collection of tiny Limoges porcelain boxes. The boxes are in fanciful shapes; a birthday cake, an apple tree, a Chinese temple, and are about 2 inches tall. Consignment store prices range from $65 to $75. Regular retail prices would be two or three times more. Judith A. Frost and Company is at 81 Encina Ave. off El Camino Real in Palo Alto and is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment. Consignment Showcase is at No. 57 Town & Country Village in Palo Alto.

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL . . . If you can plan ahead, you can really save on photo holiday cards at APS Photo Center at Town & Country Village. Place an order before Oct. 31 and you'll get 30 percent off regular prices. The regular price for a minimum order of 25 cards is $29.50. The early bird price is $20.65. Holiday photo cards are made from color negatives, 35mm or 120mm size. You can choose from about 40 different greeting designs and envelopes are included. Personalized imprinting is extra. An order of 100 cards saves you even more, at $55.65. If you have a lot of friends, an order of 5,000 cards brings the price down to just 30 cents a card!

CHEAP CHIC . . . The folks at Spirals Gallery decided the store's light tan carpet was getting old and stained. But the thought and expense of moving out all the display cases and merchandise in order to replace the carpet was just too much. So in keeping with the creative theme of the store, store manager Carolyn Ragir literally took matters and a paint brush into her own hands. The stained tan carpet is now a deep blue with the help of a few gallons of exterior latex paint and some elbow grease. Some spiral designs may be added next. Go take a look. This paint job may start a new home decor trend. Spirals Gallery (and carpet refurbishers!) is at 367 University Ave. in Palo Alto.

GENEROUS GIFT . . . Israel Zehavi, president of Diamonds of Palo Alto, has donated two $150 gift certificates from his store to Stanford Blood Center. Everyone who donates blood during the month of October will be eligible to enter a drawing for the gift certificates; the drawing will be held at the end of the month. Jan Reimers at Stanford Blood Center says about 1,600 people will qualify this month. Call Stanford Blood Center at 723-7831 for more information.

--Dona van Bronkhorst

Send tips about store openings and closings, great deals and places to buy interesting things to Dona van Bronkhorst, ShopTalk, Palo Alto Weekly, P.O. Box 1610, Palo Alto, CA 94302. You can also leave a message for ShopTalk 24 hours a day at 326-8291, ext. 357, or send e-mail to shopping@paweekly.com

Back up to the Table of Contents Page