Burlington Coat Factory Clearance Store: Worth the Trip For the Bargain Hunter

My loot for under $100

The Burlington Coat Factory Clearance Store is for the serious discount shopper – not for the weak of heart! I ventured north of downtown Chicago to check out this clearance store at 7340 West Foster Avenue just off of the Harlem Exit on I-90.

First, when you get near the address you are wondering – could this be right? It's located in an older strip mall with a bakery, a Dollar Store and a Jewel. The Burlington sign in red raised letter looks as if it has been around since the 80s! So this must be the right place!Then you feel a rush of excitement because this may be a hidden gem…or a total dud.

Well, when you walk in you really need to be willing to take on a flea market mode. The store is bare bones and reminds me of a thrift store, so be prepared to weed through a lot of things you may not want. But then you will see that the prices are marked down below what you may find at a TJ Maxx or Marshalls (with similar brands) and then on top of it there is a dot system with even further discounts. So everything is at least 20% off of the ticketed price and some are marked with a 30%, dot and so on down the prices go!

A new shipment had just landed four days before I arrived. The store manager told me about every 6 weeks a new shipment comes in. So the tip is it is best to keep checking back about every month! The merchandise comes from other Burlington Outlet stores, and this is one of only three stores like it in all of the Midwest – and the only one like it in Illinois! Designers include BCBG, Calvin Klein, Anne Klein, DKNY, DKNY Jeans, Tommy Hillfiger, Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, and there are some lines you may not care as much about!

So I told myself I would see if I could find for under $100. I was looking for layering pieces, anything that I liked, fit well, would be something I would wear a lot, and of good quality, or good enough quality at these prices!

What did I find?
1. Seven for all Mankind Black Belted Jacket: Retail Price $270, Burlington $49.99 with 20% Off
2. BCBG Green Print Dress: Retail Price $240, Burlington $9.99 with 20% Off
3. Fever Black Wrap Sweater: Retail Price $58, Burlington $9.99 with 20% Off
4. Jonathan Martin Paisley Top: Retail Price $36, Burlington $9.99 with 30% Off
5. DKNY Jeans Short Sleeve Blouse: Retail Price $69, Burlington $24.99 with 30% Off

Grand total: $88.17 (Including our outrageous Chicago tax!) I was well under my budget for the spree! Just for the fun of it, I tallied up the original retail value and it came to $673! I love when that happens.

So, are you willing to work for a discount? Then the Burlington Coat Factory Clearance is the place for you!

— Carol Calacci

Now through August 31st, is The Leather Blowout at Burlington Coat Factory. Leather jackets that normally retail for $100-$900 could be found for as little as $29.99-$299.99.