Crate & Barrel

Nobody says anything to you and the huddle behind the counter not paying attention to any of the customers. Fair prices but that’s about it. Not a whole lot to choose from. I wish this place had more items and better customer service. 4 people in there and not one asked anyone if they needed help or «hello» at the very least.

Good place to come after holidays or season changes for clearance and closeouts of summer, fall or Christmas items. It can be hit or miss depending on what sells out in the regular store and you can get some good deals the longer you wait, but then you run the risk of it selling out at the outlet as well missing an item all together. Their inventory system is pretty good, so you can save yourself some effort by calling, checking online or in the regular store. They also have regularly stocked items like glasses, plates etc. that aren’t really at a discount, but perennially available. There is an «Island of Misfit Furniture» in the back of damaged furniture that ranges from slight imperfections to absolutely wrecked that also ranges from barely discounted to heavily discounted depending on how long it has been sitting there.

I often check this shop. Many seasonal things. Some are really great prices. A fantastic location too. Close to Metro, whole foods market, and Old Town!

Overpriced items in a poorly displayed manner. I just went in to serve my curiosity. Not my kind of place.

What the hell happened? This used to be a great store full of C&B merchandise. I have been going there regularly since it opened. Always bought more stuff than I intended.
Yesterday when I went in, it was totally different. Like they were going out of business. Odds and ends. Very little kitchen stuff and some class ware and dishes but nothing like before. A lot more furniture. Felt like a flea market.
I hope it doesn’t stay this way.

When I found out there was a Crate & Barrel in Old Town, I was super excited. Like jump and down like I’m a little kid in the middle of a grocery store aisle, excited. Discounted furniture and home goods from Crate & Barrel and CB2? Winning!
Once I got past my initial excitement, I quickly calmed down. Full disclosure: when I get too amped during a new shopping experience, I tend to overspend. Sometimes, this location is hit or miss for me. I scored some really beautiful, blue ombré glasses and a pitcher for around $ 20. They weren’t sold as a set, which I appreciated. You can buy as many or as few glasses as you want. The store has different types of wine glasses, martini glasses, drinking glasses, etc.
On another visit, I was looking for a queen sized bed. I figured — what could be better than Crate & Barrel outlet for a bed frame, right? Wrong. There aren’t beds often (the selection changes regularly and apparently they sell pretty quickly), and the one twin sized bed frame they had on a particular day was selling for $ 900! I’ve seen sale beds at Restoration Hardware for around that price. Pass.
I typically go in here with no agenda in mind. That’s when I have scored the best finds. A pizza chopper, pizza peel, and pizza stone scrubber! What? Each one of these items separately was less than $ 10 each. And yes, I have a small obsession with homemade pizza.
Overall, I like to visit this location to «dream» window shop for furniture items. I definitely get inspiration, but the sticker shock I regularly experience keeps me from buying more than home goods, kitchen items, and small stuff.

They have many cool things. Not only furniture but kitchen stuff, Christmas decorations, coffee machines, etc.
It’s small. It doesn’t take a long time to check corner to corner.
Some of them are really cheap but some still pricy. What I really liked there is a metal and marble table about $ 1000. It was half price from original.

Great place! The prices are very reasonable and have great merchandise. It sucks that it’s a small store just wish it was bigger to have more.
One thing I don’t know why they have is Christmas and Halloween merchandise which is very seasonal. But some people like it I’m sure :)
Great place to check out and get good quality things!

This is a Crate & Barrel Outlet — What is not to love?
I have to admit, I have a small obsession with Crate & Barrel. If I could afford to decorate my entire apartment with it, I would. No questions asked. This Crate & Barrel outlet store allows me to at least indulge in my love for kitchen gear without braking the bank — too much.
While it can be hit or miss with great finds, they always carry some of their staples. I once found a $ 10 duvet cover, which disappeared when I set it down to mull over my decision. (Next time, just buy it!)
Just a short walk from the King Street Metro, I would highly recommend making it one of your stops on your way to Old Town Alexandria.

What a success. This past Saturday the outlet had a framed print that I had kept my eye on for a year. In store it was $ 500. I got it for $ 200. And then got an armchair in my preferred fabric that I had also watched in store for 40% off. Rounded out trip with a simple padded desk chair. I saved $ 800 all on things I absolutely wanted. All in perfect shape. Christina who helped me was outstanding and Mike squeezed it all in my sedan. Thank you crate and Barrel!

The selection was rather disappointing – or should I say, lack thereof? The prices were hit or miss – there were some good deals to be found, but there were also many items which were still quite over-​priced.
However, I did like the shopping carts!
All in all, it’s worth checking out; just don’t get too excited.

Merchandise: Three stars
Customer service: One star
The outlet store is a good place to get discounted glassware and other home goods, although the selection varies. I hadn’t been here in a couple of years and was surprised to see more furniture selection when I visited on July 8, 2014.
My biggest complaint (and reason for the low rating) is the poor – or, more specifically, lack of – customer service I received on my last visit. I spent about 20 minutes wandering through the store, during which time there were 4 – 5 employees on the floor. At one point, the employees were gathered by the register chatting among themselves. At no time was I ever greeted, asked if I needed assistance – nothing. When I left, nobody said goodbye or thanks for shopping. Several years ago, I worked in a Crate & Barrel and, at that time, the chain had a reputation for outstanding customer service. I don’t know if the outlet is held to a lower standard or if service has just fallen by the wayside.

If they have Crates they are probably for wine and if they have Barrels they have probably been molded into an outdoor patio table. Crate and Barrel is sometimes a platform for some good window shopping. The outlet is another matter.
If you’ve been to IKEA’s dent and ding section, this is a notch above. CB/​CB2 display pieces and last season’s prizes all come trickling down along with the prices. The want vs. need lines in my head start to become blurry shortly after the cold steel door handle leads me towards to the warmth that only the itch to spend money can produce. Better watch out, the itch will need to be scratched.
Keeping up with the Jones’ is an ongoing battle. CBO puts the badminton shuttlecock on your side of the net.
Verdict: Friendlier on the wallet while still easy on the eyes.

I love this store for 1 reason, the beautiful bolts of dirt cheap Maremeko fabric. Crate and barrel stores apparently buy this fabric to decorate the stores and the extra bolts get sent to the outlet stores for resell. They supposedly get in new shipments a couple times a year, but I haven’t seen new stuff since early June when I discovered it. You can get scraps of fabric for $ 1 a pound when available and yards of the bright print fabric for the low price of $ 5.95 a yard. It’s a steal for the quality of fabric, I’m actually a little ambivalent about sharing my fabric secret with the masses. Oh well all you sewing Unilocalers enjoy.

Hmm… hit or miss.
I enjoy coming here, just to see the random stuff that they have. I have found a few great gift items here at decent prices over the years. Some of the deals are fantastic… you’ll often see 50% off on many basic kitchen and living room items. Most recently, I came right before Christmas and the place was pretty bare. There were barely any items left but I suppose that shouldn’t have been a surprise. The things I did want were full price, so I decided to stick to Amazon. I’ll check back for more deals when they’re re-​stocked.

Outlets can be tricky – sometimes the quality is consistently subpar, other times the prices match those in the regular store, or the selection is lacking. I’ve shopped in 4 or 5 Crate and Barrel Outlets nationwide, and this is one of my favorites.
Pros:
The selection changes daily.
In the summertime, there are «sidewalk sales» on the weekend with deep discounts. It’s like a sample sale – they make everyone stand behind a line while they lay out the furniture outside, and when they say «go», everyone STAMPEDES to grab the item (s) they want. It’s bananas.
The (annual?) $ 99 dining table sale. Need I say more?
The furniture isn’t always a full season old.
They have CB2 pieces! Especially dinnerware, some furniture as well.
The selection of Marimekko fabric is unbeatable.
Prices are (usually) reasonable.
Cons:
If you’re hunting for a specific piece, prepare for a bunch of return trips. However, if you ask the sales associates if they have a particular item in the back, they’ll always check for you.
The sidewalk sales are kinda nuts. I witnessed an argument at one that almost came to blows.
Almost a quarter of the time, furniture will be broken or damaged (tabletops scratched, latches broken, etc).
The rug, lighting, and wall art sections are usually lacking.
Saturdays are the craziest day and the furniture goes fast, so if you can arrange it, try to shop on a weekday.
If you live nearby and you’re furnishing an apartment, it’s worth it to swing by regularly. I’ve found some amazing deals on big and small items, which keeps me coming back and keeps my review at 4 stars. Definitely a spot to visit!

What’s not to love about Crate & Barrel Outlet? The housewares and furnishings are stylish, functional, and super affordable. The only con is that you have to be your own delivery service; you’re responsible for transporting whatever big pieces you purchase here (sofas, tables, bookshelves, etc.).
Aside from that inconvenience, which isn’t much of one if you ask me considering their deals, this outlet is a wonderful place for first-​time homeowners, renters looking to spice up their living space, or seasoned home decorators.
I love how Crate & Barrel’s products are modern but comfy and warm. And if you’re looking to do rustic industrial in your home, Crate & Barrel Outlet can help you to achieve that look with its wooden dining tables and assorted other more farm-​like accessories and furniture.
If you do nothing else while here, please, please, please make a stop at the gigantic clearance section. Aisles and aisles of wonderful things you do need for the home, arranged in an orderly manner, and being sold for prices that just can’t be beat (yes, even by Home Goods, and even possibly Ross). We scored a pasta scoop, a slotted spoon, a regular large spoon, and bunch of other goodies for around two bucks a piece. Hooray! The weighted dining ware, when on sale, is very high-​quality and beautiful, too.
Some other amazing deals are throws and blankets that normally sell for more than a hundred, which you can buy here for under fifty bucks.
As a whole, Crate & Barrel is a very budget-​friendly one-​stop shop for all things home. It’s a good thing the store is 40 minutes away from our house…

The management at this Crate & Barrel Outlet needs to catch a clue. We arrived at 10:50 am on a Saturday hoping to drop in, grab our furniture and leave, but low and behold, management has decided not to open until 11:00. Whoops! There were already 15 people pacing back and forth at the entrance waiting for the employees to open the doors. I’m not sure what kind of preparations need to take place before you open a furniture/​home appliance store, but it was fascinating watching all the employees inside not doing much else but waiting 10 min to open the doors in fear for the restless customers waiting impatiently outside.
That said, the store is actually reasonably organized and stocked. They were out of a shower curtain that we wanted and the employees took about 25 min just to find a person who could find a latter in order to take down the floor model for us.
Besides the fact that they should open at 10 am on Saturday, I can’t really complain too much.

This place is full of deal hunters and pretty good deals. I don’t know how people find those $ 200 item for $ 20 sales because I never see them. But I do see a lot of nick knacks and half off items. For instance, if you want to get some cheap plates or vases, this would be a great place to go. If you want to get small furniture items, again, this place is phenomenal.
If you want sofas, forget it. That stuff is still expensive and it’s factory seconds from C&B. C&B might be a well known brand, but I wouldn’t spend more than $ 1000 on a sofa from them. That’s about the lowest price I’ve seen here.
Also, if you do want to get furniture, be sure to rent a zip van or uhaul to tote it home. ;)

I’ve been looking forward to coming here since I found out about this location and since my other go-​to CB outlet closed!
There is a section for «Must Go» items. Items included a Kitchen Aid 5 Qt. Mixer for $ 320, candles, dishes, placemats, vases, glasses, snowglobes, and more. There were several rows, and none of the items appeared damaged.
Pretty much what you see online is what you see in the store. There does appear to be some regular CB items at this outlet as well so you might be able to find them for slightly less, although if my memory serves me, the outlet items are better deals.
Coming on a Tuesday afternoon, there were lots of women shopping by themselves. The store wasn’t particularly crowded nor was it messy, and there may only be one item in that color, shape, and size you want, so I would recommend purchasing when you see it.
This Saturday, August 25, starting at 10 am, this CB outlet will have furniture and other items on sale outside. Think of it as a major house cleaning. Stop by and check it out. Who knows what you might find?