New outlet opens in Bloomington

About $400,000 in high-end skis, snowboards, bikes and accessories are discounted 40 to 70 percent at the new outlet Bloomington Liquidation Auction and Consignment Center (9801 Nicollet Av. S., Bloomington, 612-701-4182). Liquidator Bob Day plans to sell closeout merchandise in the store for three or four weeks (Thursdays through Sundays), and then the items will be removed, sold online and replaced with different products.

The selection includes Giant bikes ($400 to $1,600 before the discount), sport watches, sunglasses by Smith Optics, Crank Brothers Quattro 4ti pedals ($390), Bell helmets, Yakima bike carriers and racks, K2 and Morrow snowboards, skis by Elan, Nordica, Volkl and Morrow, and boots, bindings and poles.

All sales are cash only with no refunds, exchanges or store credit. Coming soon: artists' supplies.

Bookstores open for the holidays Two Christian bookstores are selling overstocked fiction, Christian living, self-help and children's books for $5 (reg. $15 to $25). About 90 percent of the inventory (20,000 titles) is $5 or less, thus the store name $5 Christian Books. Bibles, reference materials and bestsellers are 30 percent off cover prices. The temporary stores will be open through December in Eden Prairie Center (upper level near Kohl's, Eden Prairie, 952-956-2829) and Knollwood Mall (near Panera Bread, St. Louis Park, 952-905-6677, www.fivedollarchristian books.com).