Bargain hunter's delight Bargain hunter's delight (June 24, 2005)

From used strollers to used cars, Mountain View tops the heap for fine low-priced shopping

By Penny Bale

Bargain hunting is fun -- and Mountain View is a bargain hunter's utopia. It is loaded with high-quality shops that contain fascinating, reasonably priced merchandise available nowhere else.

The items in these shops are one-of-a-kind, and available for half or even a quarter of the standard retail price. How many places can you get a beautiful oak executive desk for $150?

Best of all, shopping in Mountain View is an enjoyable adventure. After a happy day of touring its unique shops, you'll return home with some noteworthy purchases and some extra money jingling in your pocket.

Below are listed just a few of the Mountain View shops where deals can be found. On your next shopping trip, check out these merchants -- and remember to kick the tires.
House of Forgotten Treasures -- children's boutique @text This beautiful store is chock-full of new and "gently used" children's clothing, toys, books, furniture, strollers and accessories. The gently used clothing and equipment is in excellent condition and very reasonably priced.

To sweeten the deal, the boutique is having a 50 percent off clearance sale of gently used clothes and shoes beginning Thursday, June 23 through Sunday, June 26. Strollers, swings, and accessories are 20 percent off.
Located downtown at 902 Villa St. Open Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Check them out online at www.kids-treasures.com
Plumeria -- women's vintage and consignment clothing

Plumeria has an outstanding collection of lovely, carefully chosen clothes, shoes, hats, purses, lingerie and jewelry. Shopping here is just plain fun. All the merchandise is beautifully displayed, in excellent condition, neatly labeled and moderately priced. The store carries a wide range of sizes, from 4 to 3x. Many items have designer labels. Check out the beautiful vintage formal and daytime dresses.
Located downtown at 714 Villa St. Open Wednesday to Friday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Be-Pop -- men's vintage clothing from the 1960s to 1980s

There's not another store like Be-Pop within a 50-mile radius of Mountain View. When you walk into the store, you are dazzled by an astonishing array of 1960s to 1980s collectible merchandise -- a vintage motorcycle, hanging light fixtures, rock T-shirts and cool old suitcases.

Be-Pop carries a wide variety of top quality, good looking, well priced clothing -- from Ralph Lauren broadcloth shirts (priced at $8 each) to name-brand men's shirts, slacks, jeans, hats, jackets and shoes. Check out the collection of vintage Hawaiian shirts.
Located downtown at 744 Villa St. Open Monday through Saturday 2 p.m. - 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Goodwill

The Mountain View Goodwill is a treasure trove of wonderful used clothing. How can you beat a Ralph Lauren ladies' tweed jacket with a suede collar for $10 ... or men's tweed sport coats for $10 to $15? Visit frequently, look for out-of-season clothing, and check every item on the rack -- don't rush through it. Be sure to mentally add the price of dry cleaning to the price of any wool or silk clothes that you buy.

As everyone knows, Goodwill isn't just about clothes; some of the best deals on furnishings can be found there. Recent examples include: a handsome 1960s teak highboy dresser for $50, a 1930s metal floor lamp with agate base for $50, a modern brocade wing armchair for $40, a modern oak coffee table for $30.

As with the clothing, shop at regular and frequent intervals. Look for solid wood furniture, Danish modern furniture by American manufacturers, 1970s and '80s wood bedroom sets that look great when painted, 1920s to '30s walnut pieces, 1950s mahogany and maple. Be ready to clean and polish your finds.
Located at 855 El Camino Real, south of Highway 85 Open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
D&H Furniture -- used and antique furniture, lamps, home accessories @text Hunt through this old-fashioned antique store and find some excellent bargains: lamp tables for $49, queen or full-sized beds for $69, a vintage oak executive desk for $150, 1930s walnut dining room tables with chairs for $250. (Cabin owners, check out the wonderful early 1930s Spark gas stove for $175.)

The furniture needs to be cleaned and polished, and the dining room table tops need some work. But, with a little extra effort, you'll have beautiful furniture that will last you a lifetime.

Harold, the congenial proprietor, has a storied past. He served for five years in the Navy during World War II. He helped install the roof on Hanger One at Moffett Field. Later, he served as a First Class Bosun's Mate and then Master at Arms on the USS Albermarle. Now he helps to bring some history into your home -- at excellent rates.
Located at 569 El Camino Real Open Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
National Auto Center -- used vehicle auction

If you are knowledgeable about cars or have a friend who is, this is a great place to find a bargain vehicle and/or a classic car. Prices begin at $110 for a 1986 Mazda, and climb to $5,000 for a used Mercedes, Cadillac or BMW.

All vehicles are sold as-is. At the preview, you cannot drive the vehicles, but you can turn on the engine and look under the hood. Major mechanical problems are written on the windshield of each vehicle. Other problems are up to you to find. The National Auto Center adds a 10 percent buyer fee to the final sales price of each vehicle sold.

Eighty percent of the vehicles sold at auction come from charity donations such as the Polly Klaas Fund or the Giants Community Fund. The sale proceeds, minus towing and sales charges, go to charity.
Located 2520 Old Middlefield Road Auctions are held at 10 a.m. on the third Saturday of every month. Preview the cars by arriving the Friday before the auction 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., or that Saturday 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. National Auto Center accepts only cash and credit card payments. DMV paperwork is provided for all car sales.
United Auto Brokers -- used cars
At United Auto Brokers, you can find moderately priced cars that you can take to a mechanic to check prior to purchase. Recently, United had a 1996 Oldsmobile Aurora with 85,000 miles priced at $4,800, and a 1998 Ford Taurus with 115,000 miles priced at $3,800. United also has a wide selection of newer vehicles available for higher prices.
Located at 247 El Camino Real Open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Penny Bale is an antiques dealer and freelance writer who lives in Redwood City

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