Surplus merchandise firm expands with Designer Shoe Outlet
Having two daughters, Adam Fishman learned that women are passionate about shoes.
Fishman, who has been in the liquidation business for 15 years, is taking a big step in opening part of his warehouse as a store for the public. Women's upscale shoes are the focus of DSO - Designer Shoe Outlet.
About 1,400 pairs of shoes that Fishman obtained from up-scale department stores are for sale at the warehouse, 301 W. Central Road in Mount Prospect. Most of the selection is last year's models, said Fishman, 46.
Shoppers will find top brands including Cole Haan, BCBG, Coach and Steve Madden for about half the price that they find them in major department stores.
A pair of Anne Klein boots that usually sell for $169 have an $89 price tag at DSO. A pair of $69 Nine West flats sell for $35. And a pair of Michael Kors clogs sell for $66 instead of $129.
"It's not a fancy place, but the prices are right," said Fishman, an Arlington Heights resident.
The entrepreneur got into the liquidation business about five years prior to starting his own firm, Surplus One, in 1997. He now buys unclaimed, damaged or overstock merchandise.
Fishman has found that women's shoes have always sold quickly in the past. When he had the opportunity to sign with a couple department stores, he jumped on the idea of offering the styles to the public.
"Ladies love their shoes," he said.
The DSO inventory includes all sizes and it will change periodically. The shop expects another 600 pairs to arrive this week, and a shipment of 2,000 is expected by the end of the month, he said.
Fishman's Surplus One business works in a similar manner. For example, if a company comes out with new packaging, it may look to liquidate the merchandise with the old design.
Fishman just purchased six trailer loads of Brone door chimes and doorbells.
A furniture store went out of business and liquidated eight trailers of furniture. Fishman sold it at recent warehouse sale. Granite countertops, door hinges and baskets are other items he is now selling to distributors, exporters and independent online auctioneers on eBay.
The DSO shoe store is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more, call (847) 253-6800.
Ho ho ho: Now that Halloween is behind us, Santa is on his way to area malls.
Here are a few upcoming events planned.
• Santa arrives at 6 p.m. Friday at Deer Park Town Center with fireworks following at 6:15 p.m.
• Stratford Square in Bloomingdale greets Santa as he arrives on a red fire truck at about noon Saturday.
• The Santa with the natural beard returns to Spring Hill Mall in West Dundee Saturday during a "Welcome Back Santa Party" from 10 to 11 a.m. Radio Disney will be on hand for the event.
• Santa arrives at Westfield Hawthorn in Vernon Hills and Westfield Fox Valley in Aurora at 10 a.m. Saturday.
• Gurnee Mills greets Santa Friday.