BARGAINS : LACE UP AT SNEAKERLAND.

Byline: Trisha King & Deborah Newmark

Wouldn't it be great to turn back the clock to nicer times when store employees acted as though they appreciated your patronage? You can do that by shopping for your family's athletic shoes at Sneakerland, a store that offers discounted prices along with great customer service.

Let's say you are looking for a pair of New Balance 1600 running shoes for men ($119.99 here, $170 retail). Instead of pointing in the general direction of the shoes, the staff here will walk you over; measure your foot, if necessary; and assist you in trying on the shoes

Sneakerland, family owned and operated since 1982, offers current, brand-name athletic shoes for the entire family, with discounts starting at 15 percent below retail. Discounts run higher on close-outs (the $15.99 section has shoes with retail values up to $62) and factory seconds with cosmetic flaws (Converse, Jack Purcell black-and-white low tops were $19.99 instead of $38 retail).

The majority of Sneakerland's inventory is devoted to current, first-quality merchandise. For example, if you've had a difficult time finding Adidas Superstars for kids, you can get them here for $42.99 instead of $55 retail. Also popular with kids are Dreamers by Skechers for $37.99 ($45 retail).

If your future basketball star won't wear anything but Nike, Sneakerland has the most popular styles at discounted prices. Air Zoom Flights in black or white run $95.99 ($110 retail), and Air MZ 3 basketball shoes are $79.99 ($125 retail).

Children's sizes run 8 to 13-1/2 and 1 to 6, women's sizes run 5 to 11, and men's shoes are available in sizes 6-1/2 to 15. Special orders for current brands are no problem, and even these are discounted.

Sneakerland is located at 22890 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills; [phone]. The Thousand Oaks store is at 33 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd. (next to Los Robles Bank in the Big 5 Shopping Center). As of May 1, the new location will be 757 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.; [phone]. Hours for both stores are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.

Inside info

If you're making a trip overseas, consider stopping at Asmara Overseas Shippers to make sure you have the right electrical plug. All their plugs interface with American-made ones. Currently, the hot items are cables and plugs for laptops. Also, they carry electrical products made for overseas. With the exchange rate the way it is, you can save 50 percent of the cost by buying products here rather than overseas. Asmara Overseas Shippers is located at 5568 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City; [phone]. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Future brides, take note. At Bliss Discount Bridal weekend sales, you'll save 50 percent to 70 percent on all dresses for the bridal party. Sales take place every Saturday and Sunday until June 30. Bliss Discount Bridal also offers a free referral service for florists, invitations and other wedding needs, plus a personalized service to find the right dress for hard-to-fit brides and their bridal party. Bliss Discount Bridal weekend sales are held at 5501-1/2 Reseda Blvd., Tarzana; [phone]. Sale hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

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Photo

Photo: Owner Harold Surabian Jr. carries the latest styles, including the New Balance 1200 running shoe, at his two Sneakerland stores.