It's a prime week for warehouse sales in Minnesota

There is a boatload of bargains at five warehouse sales, all happening this week.

What gives? October is the lull between back-to-school and the start of holiday shopping, said George John at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. "It's a good time for manufacturers and retailers to be heard," he said. "There's so much noise out there after Halloween."

For manufacturers such as Thymes, which is bringing back its soaps and scents warehouse sale after scaling back last year, it's because the company is doing a lot of packaging changes. Like many manufacturers, the company has a sale in October because it's a less hectic time, said Cindy Andersen, vice-president of operations at Thymes.

"We've already gotten out the fall shipments and we're starting the holiday shipments, so in October we're waiting for product turns," she said.

At Stroke of the Heart's sale from Tuesday to Friday, locally designed greeting cards, notecards and kitchen magnets can be had at 50 to 85 percent off. The sale runs from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at 3792 Williston Road in Minnetonka.

Red Wing Shoes will have more than 15,000 pairs of shoes for men and women at 50 to 70 percent off, including the Red Wing brand as well as Irish Setter and Vasque hiking boots. All of the shoes are first-quality from previous and recent seasons.

This is the second year the company has done the sale, which is at its historic Plant One facility at 127 Main St. in Red Wing. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The big sale at Thymes soaps and scents is Friday to Sunday at its headquarters at 629 9th St. SE. in Minneapolis. Save 50 to 75 percent on soaps, body washes, lotions, candles, diffusers, bubble baths and gift sets. Hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

At Historic Studio, shoppers can save 50 percent off all home accessories, lighting and vintage pieces from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at 4950 W. 35th St., St. Louis Park. New for this sale: a shipment of Monarch via Century at wholesale prices.

This will be the last sale for the Angel Foundation, a successor to the American Cancer Society's World's Largest Garage Sale. The large sale from Saturday to Oct. 16 at the Four Seasons Mall (4108 Lancaster Lane N., Plymouth) includes departments with clothing, art, toys, antiques, furniture, electronics and sporting goods. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission is $3 on the first day and the final day is half-price day.

John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633