If you missed out on Black Friday deals, there's an unconventional way to still get gifts at low prices in Mesa. The city's surplus sales warehouse has cut bicycle prices by 75 percent through Dec. 22. Other items have been trimmed by 25 percent. The surplus sales warehouse offers clothing, office supplies, computers and other items that are surplus city property or unclaimed police evidence. The warehouse operates 8 a.m. to noon every Tuesday and Thursday at 7041 E. Adobe St. The city accepts cash, credit cards and debit cards with a photo identification. All sales are final. Proceeds go to the city's general fund. Last year, the city generated $178,900 from surplus sales. For more information, visit www.mesaaz.gov/surplussales or call (480) 644-2663.

A World War I era binocular that still works, an ornate wedding dress, expensive gold and silver watches and jewelry, a long, black samurai sword. All things seized by Mesa police, abandoned by their owners, and on sale for pennies on the dollar. One city’s surplus store stocked with seized items could be a Mesa resident’s treasure — or trash — this holiday season.

The northeast corner of Main Street and Extension Road in Mesa is no longer the bright-yellow destination for veterans, military enthusiasts and outdoors people.

 The northeast corner of Main Street and Extension Road in Mesa is no longer the bright-yellow destination for veterans, military enthusiasts and outdoors people.

It wasn’t Black Friday, but the recent announcement of a sale at the City of Mesa Warehouse Surplus Store sparked a crowd this week.

Kathy Miranda has been a fan of garage sales for years — always looking for the bargain overlooked by others.

A simple building without much embellishment sits near Adobe and Power roads with a sign out front that reads: Mesa's Materials and Surplus.

March 25, 2005

A longtime Mesa Army surplus and outdoors store has contributed $5,000 to fight the Riverview at Dobson project where a competing national outdoor retailer will be the recipient of taxpayer incentives.

LOS ANGELES -- Comedian Drew Carey received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame placed, appropriately enough for an ex-Marine, in front of The Supply Sergeant military surplus store, a Hollywood fixture for decades.

Riverview at Dobson backers and opponents — including a heckler, a mascot and carpenters union — made their positions loud and clear Tuesday during the first of two election debates in the Mesa council chambers.

March 30, 2005

Two interesting individuals made the Tribune’s front page in the past few days.

At a Bashas' store in south Chandler, Laurie Meyers is walking away with $50 worth of groceries for $13.57.

Trash talk has helped Matthew Levesque fashion an inventive career in garden design.

The time warp the Gentle Strength Co-op was stuck in remains so deep that its Web site didn’t let on that anything was amiss the day after it closed its doors.