Taking Stock blog

New life for Enoteca Vin spot...

suestock — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:28:40 -0400

I was driving down Glenwood South today and spotted a banner hanging outside the former Enoteca Vin restaurant. It said a restaurant called "Sauced" is coming soon. Per the banner, it will be a "NY Pizza/NC Pub."

The owner of the new business was not there when I stopped by, so I am still working on the details about when it will open. But a pub/pizza joint is certainly a departure from Enoteca, which was a haven for foodies and wine lovers of the Triangle. That restaurant suddenly closed back in January. Its owner, Chrish Peel, also closed his Carolina Wine Co., leaving customers without thousands of dollars in wine they had ordered. In March the Carolina Wine Co. filed for bankruptcy.

The new Sauced restaurant will go next door to the under-construction Diner restaurant, which is taking over the former Hard Times Cafe space.

Added: Sauced has a Web site...

Save 10 percent at Barnes & Noble...

suestock — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:13:01 -0400

Barnes & Noble has issued a new set of 10 percent off one item coupons...

Here's the in-store version...

Or use the code N8M7U3T for online purchases...

The offer expires July 19.

Stepping up security on cheese...

suestock — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:30:00 -0400

British retailer Tesco has started a new initiative to try to stop shoplifting of .... cheese.

The company has started to put those little magnetic strips often found on CDs, razors and other high-value items on offerings in its cheese case and other grocery items. If the strips are not deactivated at the register, they will set off the store's security system.

You can read about it here...

Get a golf lesson with purchase...

suestock — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:00:00 -0400

If you are planning to make a big purchase of golf equipment, you might be able to get a little more bang for your buck at Golfsmith.

While supplies last, golfers who make a purchase of $299 or more at any Golfsmith store across the country will receive a FREE 30-minute GolfTEC Swing Diagnosis conducted by a GolfTEC professional. The session, which usually costs $85, is a popular feature at GolfTEC stores. I'm told there are roughly 12,000 sessions being given out. You can find out mroe here.

Office Depot teacher discounts...

suestock — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:00:00 -0400

For the teachers out there, it may be beneficial to investigate the teacher discount program offered by Office Depot.

Since 2003, the company has offered special teacher rewards through its Star Teacher Program. Teachers can sign up at www.mystarteacher.com.

Also, stores will be offering teacher appreciation breakfasts for teachers during the weeks of July 26, Aug. 2, Aug. 9 and Aug. 16.

Check www.mystarteacher.com/tab for specific times.

Fuel for School is back...

suestock — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:50:58 -0400

As I mentioned in Wednesday Deals this morning, the always-popular Kellogg's Fuel for School rebate is back.

I am guessing we will see a printed version of the rebate form in a coupon insert soon, maybe this weekend. But if you can't wait, you can also access the form online here. You will need to register for the Kellogg's Web site before you are allowed to download the form.

The deal is that you get a $10 rebate when you buy 10 qualifying Kellogg's, Sunshine and Keebler products. This year, you also get a coupon code good for $70 from Dell. Be sure to read the fine print: you have to send in the UPC codes and all the purchases have to be on one receipt. NOTE: If you're going to do this one, the Lowes Foods deal this week where you get $3 off when you buy five qualifying items might be a good double dip.

Wednesday deals...

suestock — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:38:49 -0400

It’s a lighter deals week with retailers coming away from the busy Fourth of July holiday weekend. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some deals to be had.

As usual, there are several deals and special pages in this week’s sales fliers highlighting deals on Procter & Gamble products. Those sales match up nicely with the coupons issued on Sunday, so now would be a good time to stock up on some of those items. There are also just a lot of good deals this week on shampoo and other bath/beauty products.

Deal of the week: At CVS this week there’s a steal on Head n Shoulders shampoo. The shampoo is on sale for $4.99 and there’s a $2 Extra Bucks rebate this week (limit three per household). You can also use the BOGO coupon from this past Sunday. So you’d pay $4.99 x two ($9.98) and then get the $2 Extra Bucks rebate x 2. Then subtract the $4.99 for the BOGO coupon and your final price will be 99 cents for two bottles.

Click “Read more” to see the list! And remember, if the store has a loyalty card, you’ll need it to get the sale price.

Sheetz loyalty club & $25,000 giveaway...

suestock — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:00:00 -0400

Convenience store chain Sheetz is launching its new loyalty program with a big splash.

The program centers around the loyalty card, appropriately called the My Sheetz Card. You earn 5 points for every $1 in gas you purchase, 10 points for every $1 in bottled beverages, snacks, candy, ice cream and grocery products, and 35 points for every $1 in made-to-order, food, bakery, coffee and fountain drinks.

For every 1750 points you earn, you can get a discount of 10 cents per gallon on a fill-up. And you get 3,500 bonus points (20 cents per gallon discount) just for signing up for the e-mail newsletter.

To promote the launch of the program, Sheetz is giving away $25,000 this summer. Click read more to read about the contest!

A printer a day...

suestock — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:11:09 -0400

Staples is giving away a printer a day for 12 weeks. You can come back each day to get more chances to win.

Here's the link...

Free Starbucks for Facebook fans...

suestock — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:56:49 -0400

Starbucks is promoting its new ice cream in a major way, using Facebook as a medium for spreading the word.

Through July 19, Starbucks is giving Facebook users the chance to send a free ice cream coupon to a friend or to themselves through a special Facebook page. There will be 800 pints made available at the top of every hour. Read the details and instructions on how to get yours here.

Shop local challenge...

suestock — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:47:06 -0400

The Shop Local Raleigh organization has thrown down a shopping challenge for Triangle residents.

The group is asking consumers to visit at least 12 different Shop Local Raleigh independent businesses between July 2 and Sept. 25. At each shop, get your official game card marked (available in stores or download here). Participants who mail in a completed game card by the Sept. 25 deadline will be entered for two chances to win a $500 shopping spree. Specific instructions and a list of the participating businesses are on the Web site as well.

BBQ for a donation...

suestock — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:00:00 -0400

This week, Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q is hosting Freedom Week and hoping to send some home comforts to a military unit overseas that the chain has adopted.

Smithfield's is offering customers a free barbecue sandwich in exchange for a donation of magazines, coffee, candy, snacks, batteries, puzzles, games or anything fitness related. All items will then be shipped to the unit in Afghanistan. The offer runs through Friday.

Click Read More for a list of locations.

Cow appreciation day is coming...

suestock — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:00:00 -0400

It's that time of year again... On Friday, if you dress like a cow and go to Chick-fil-A, they'll give you a free meal.

And, this year, Chick-fil-A is offering a kids' photo contest, a Facebook photo contest and a handy costume-making starter kit if you don't happen to have a cow suit hanging in your closet. You can find all of those things here...

Laugh for free...

suestock — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:46:53 -0400

Goodnight's Comedy Club in Raleigh is going to offer monthly free comedy shows "to keep customers laughing straight through the recession."

The "Free For All" shows will be offered once a month through the end of the year. Tickets are available now and can be reserved by calling the box office at 919-828-5233 or visiting www.goodnightscomedy.com. Tickets are doled out on a first-come, first-serve basis, with a limit of four tickets per order. Here's the schedule:

Sunday, July 12 – John Kirby
Wednesday, Aug. 19 – Open Mic All-Stars
Sunday, Sept. 20 – Greg Warren
Sunday, Oct. 25 – Brad Reeder
Sunday, Nov. 29 – Ronnie Bullard
Sunday, Dec. 20 – Brian Shirley

Coupon fraud is on the rise...

suestock — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:30:00 -0400

It is not surprising but still upsetting that coupon fraud is on the rise. But with the economy still slow and more people exploring the use of coupons, I suppose it's predicatable.

CNN Money had an interesting story on the rise in coupon fraud recently. I encourage you all to do the right thing and not engage in fraudulent activity. While there are lots of coupons for free items that are legit like the Uncle Ben's rice pouch coupon two weeks ago, remember that if it seems fishy, it very well may be. Here's a post with some basic guidelines on spotting fakes.