Best Buys -- Greer Wylder

The Cobblers Bench is a special shoemaker in Newport Beach that can

repair shoes and put them in almost new condition. The owner of Cobblers

Bench is a shoemaker named Jack who received all of his training in

Europe, starting in 1968. After he arrived in Los Angeles, Jack worked

for 15 years for Fabriccio, a company specializing in custom shoes for

movie actors. In 1990, Jack opened his first shop in West Los Angeles,

and in 1995 he opened the Cobblers Bench in Newport Beach. Jack and his

staff of dedicated European craftsmen specialize in repairs on shoes,

boots, purses and wallets. They will also repair all kinds of leather

goods, including handbags and luggage. Also, Jack can make custom

orthopedic shoes. Cobblers Bench is at 177 Riverside Ave. in Mariners

Shopping Center, Suite H -- in the same center as the Post Office -- off

Coast Highway. (949) 515-4479.

The Lab Anti-mall is having a back-to-school music promotional event

from 2 to 7 p.m. today. Included in the event is a big sidewalk sale,

drawings for prizes and giveaways, and live performances by The Ziggens,

Friends of Desire (formerly Paul & Laura) and The Soundhead. The Lab will

also be giving away a free Lab CD with every $25 purchase (while supplies

last). The Lab Anti-mall is at 2930 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. (714)

966-6660.

Blockbuster Video Stores are selling multi-room DirecTV systems for

$9.99. Also included in the offer are free rentals for an entire year and

free standard professional installation. It sounds too good to be true.

The offer is good through Oct. 14. Blockbuster Video is in Costa Mesa at

2750 Harbor Blvd. and at 495 E. 17th St., and in Newport Beach at 1200

Bison Ave. and 3201 Newport Blvd., and in Corona del Mar at 3007 E. Coast

Highway.

Classical Dance Center recently opened in Newport Beach. It

specializes in children’s classes for beginners to professional levels.

Classes are available in ballet, tap and jazz. The center teaches

children as young as 2 to adults. The artistic director, Elizabeth

Huebner, is a former ballerina of the Joffery Ballet. It’s at 2026 Quail

St., Newport Beach. (949) 752-9400.

Furnishings Direct is having a sale on floor samples reduced 25%. The

selection of furniture varies from contemporary sofas, chairs and

sleepers available in more than 200 fabrics. There’s also an assortment

of mission-style solid oak furniture. Furnishings Direct is at 1925

Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa. (949) 515-4450.

Another low-priced furniture store, Miner Mistakes Designer Outlet, is

having a sale on all lamps and silk floral arrangements at 25%. Miner

Mistakes carries designer showroom furniture at a fraction of the cost of

retail stores. It carries name brand furniture manufacturers, including

Lexington, Bassett, Hekman, Universal, Pulaski, Custom Craft, Sherill,

Hooker, Lane and Hickory White. It’s at 2925 Airway, Suite A, Costa Mesa.

(714) 979-6679.

Mikasa is having a semiannual sale on tons of tabletop items through

Sept. 18. On sale are china in formal and casual patterns, crystal vases,

crystal votives, holiday gifts, cookware, stoneware and carafes. Mikasa

is at Metro Pointe at 901B South Coast Drive, Costa Mesa. (714) 427-6830.

Regal Beauty Supplies & Salon is offering a 20% off coupon in today’s

paper. It also accepts all competitors’ coupons. The coupon excludes skin

care products. Regal Beauty also is a full-service salon and offers

senior citizen discounts on Sundays. It’s open from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. It’s at 269 E. 17th

St., Costa Mesa. (949) 642-4482.

BEST BUYS appears Thursdays and Saturdays. Send information to Greer

Wylder at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627, or via fax at (949)

646-4170.