Designer Shoes at Reasonable Prices Keep Men and Women Well-Heeled

I haven’t visited all the locations of Designer Shoe Warehouse, but if the one I did go to is an example, bargain shoppers looking for shoe values have a new source, or sources.

There are 10 locations in the Los Angeles area, two of them in the San Fernando Valley, one in Pasadena and one on the Westside. The reason for so many stores is that the parent company, Shoe Pavilion, recently purchased the Standard Shoes chain and has taken over most of its locations.

Once you’ve got the plan figured out, the search is easy, for this is “supermarket” shoe shopping--women’s on one side, men’s on other. Product is displayed by manufacturer, and all the sizes of the displayed item are together (there’s nothing more in the stockroom). And you’ll find some top quality names. Joan & David, Liz Claiborne, Amalfi, Lifestride, Easy Spirit, Esprit, Nickel, Naturalizer and Bally are just a few. Some elegant Bally pumps that originally sold for $245.95 somewhere else were tagged at $59.99, and appeared to be flawless.

In the rear are the clearance shoes, which are odds and ends--one or two pairs, all seasons and all styles. This is where the dedicated bargain shopper should start. I found some good-looking Van Eli loafers and a pair of Andrew Geller black pumps, each pair for $29.95, and some Life Stride pumps were tagged at $19.99, which seemed to be the average price of the clearance shoes.

Men will find deep discounts here on Bally as well, plus Florsheim, Clark and Rockport. The inventory for both men’s and women’s shoes is made up of manufacturers’ overstocks, discontinued lines and a few seconds. Sizes can start at 4 and go up to extra large, but don’t expect all sizes in all styles.

We like this: “Buy 10 pairs, get one pair free.” Look for a dazzling sale on Nike and Reebok on or about Nov. 24--$39.99 for all styles.

* Designer Shoe Warehouse, 6222 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood (818) 766-9595; 10170 Reseda Blvd., Northridge (818) 993-3338; 3120 Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (818) 449-5111 and 1234 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 260-9911. All credit cards except American Express; no checks.

*

Weekend Super Sale

Hydra-Spa Factory Outlet is having a storewide clearance starting today with more than 30 spas to choose from. All 1997 models must go. Save as much as $1,000 on selected spas, some as low as $2,395 (regularly $3,395). Also a blowout on spa cover overstocks with some dings and dents; normally $295, will be $75. 6559 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park. (800) 992-SPAS. Open seven days. All credit cards.