BARGAINS : STIRRING UP SOME DEALS.

Byline: Trisha King & Deborah Newmark

There is so much more to running a restaurant than being a good cook. Unfortunately, many people open restaurants with little or no business experience and, as a result, are out of business within a few months. If you enjoy cooking, you can buy new and used commercial-quality merchandise from failed eateries at PNN Restaurant Equipment & Supplies.

For instance, stainless-steel shelving that can be used for storage in the kitchen, garage or elsewhere in your home runs $100 for four 6-foot shelves and poles - about the same price charged by a discount store for a metal shelving unit half the size. Other sizes run $50 to $125.

PNN has a selection that is always changing. On one visit, you might see a hot-air popcorn vending machine for $400 instead of $4,000 new, and on another visit you might find silver-plated sugar bowls or bun pans that clean up like new with a little elbow grease for $1 each.

In addition to used and new items from restaurants (such as never-opened cases of glassware), PNN also stocks new merchandise at discount prices. When buying new merchandise, PNN holds out whenever possible for manufacturers' specials and closeouts. Specials this month include stainless-steel graters (4 by 4 by 9 inches) for $3.50 ($7 or more retail), heavy-gauge aluminum open roasters for $5 to $7 ($15 and up retail) and vegetable peelers for 65 cents ($1.69 at a discount store).

By the way, other than posted specials, prices are discounted 10 percent off the tagged price. Large poly cutting boards that normally retail for about $18 are tagged at PNN for $9.50. Your price at the register would be $8.55.

PNN also sells commercial-style stoves for home use. A new Imperial with two ovens, six gas burners, a broiler and a 24-inch grill runs $4,500 (at least $1,200 more elsewhere).

PNN Restaurant Equipment & Supplies is at 8250 White Oak Ave. (at Roscoe Boulevard), Northridge; [phone]. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.

Inside info

Excel Rent A Car's daily rate of $13.99 includes 100 miles free (elsewhere as high as $34 a day). Minimum rental is two days. Weekly rates start at $95 with free pick up and delivery in the San Fernando Valley. Excel Rent A Car is at 7400 Reseda Blvd., Reseda; [phone]. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

If you are interested in auctions, you can receive a year's worth of up-to-date information about U.S. Department of Treasury-seized property auctions. For $25, you'll receive about 30 mailings. There are always some great items for sale, including vehicles, coins, jewelry, electronics, computer equipment and much more. Call or write EG&G Services, U.S. Customs Service Support, Suite 400, Department LAT, 3702 Pender Drive, Fairfax, Va. 22030; call [phone] for further information or to subscribe. Hours are 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pacific time.

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Photo: Everything from salt shakers to commercial-grade stoves is available at PNN Restaurant Equipment & Supplies in Northridge.

Myung J. Chun/Daily News