Thankful for Bargains and Staying Power

It’s been called Camp St. John by those in the know. Others have described it as a gathering of “those wacky women.” Whatever the take, this is a Thanksgiving tradition that seems here to stay.

It started 20 years ago when Marie Gray, the designer behind St. John, decided that the day after Thanksgiving would be perfect for selling dress samples at a discount to a dozen women who couldn’t afford to pay retail price for her upscale knits. They were invited to a small office at the company’s Irvine headquarters to indulge their love of clothes.

To see how this mini-phenomenon has grown, jump to Thanksgiving weekend 1997. In a line in the parking lot, 850 loyalknits waited patiently for up to two days in order to spend 90 minutes shopping inside one of St. John’s warehouses.

Tents were set up the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to provide shoppers with shelter from the elements. Generators were dragged to the site for lights and heaters; portable commodes were installed. Security guards made random roll-call checks to make sure people stayed put, and St. John employees served coffee and doughnuts.

On Thanksgiving day, Marie Gray and her husband, Bob, greeted the crowds.

“I have very warm feelings for the wonderful ladies who wait in line,” Marie Gray says. “I’m always glad to see them show up in such large numbers.”

By the time shoppers--some from as far as Honolulu and Nantucket, spending days away from their families--were escorted into the warehouse Saturday morning, they were primed for heavy shopping--with clothes, accessories and shoes at least 50% off retail.

The event brought in about $500,000 in sales.