New Year Rings in Shopping Updates

It’s January clearance time everywhere else, so why not for this column?

For all of you who keep your copies, here are updates for your files.

* Expansion spells success and that’s what the story is at Dishes A La Carte, with stores in Los Angeles, Glendale, Encino (17043 Ventura Blvd., [818] 990-1779) and the latest opening in Venice (1629 Abbott Kinney Blvd., [310] 396-0023), which offers the same excellent deals in dishes that have brought Dishes A La Carte this far.

* One of the Valley’s best sources for upscale children’s clothing--For Kids Only--has moved a few blocks up the boulevard to 18155 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana ([818] 708-9543).

* Don’t panic when you see that the Wallpaper Bin, perhaps the best source for quality wall coverings in Southern California, is gone. It made a short move . . . just up the street to 17285 Ventura Blvd. and still in Encino ([818] /788-1291).

* We lost a few good spots in 1998. The J.R. Collection, an art-glass store with the glass-blowing equipment on the premises, is a real loss; and if it resurfaces, you’ll be the first to know.

I had a lot of hope for the success of Inteliplay’s outlet store in Woodland Hills, but alas, the consumers did not respond--to their loss, I might add. The original Inteliplay store with educational toys for children is still in Van Nuys at 14425 Ventura Blvd.

Eurokids, a children’s apparel discounter in Los Angeles, and Eurostyle, a source for upscale home furnishings in Northridge, are among the missing; and should their whereabouts become known, you’ll again be the first to know.

Weekend Super Sale: Master Design, a “total concept company,” designs and manufactures an exclusive line of apparel for the woman who works in a conservative man’s world.

Flair and style, but not too flashy, and in gorgeous fabrics. It has only two sales a year--one starting Saturday and continuing through Jan. 30--where its to-die-for merchandise is reduced from 40% to 75%. This is well worth the drive to Torrance.

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Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment. 383 Van Ness Ave., No. 1605, Torrance ([310] 787-6770).