Our guide to the area’s best budget chain

I love Gabriel Brothers, the discount department store with a cult following. The regional outlet stocks oversized polyester pant suits and wrinkled sweaters. But look beyond that, and you’ll find Ann Taylor, Anthropology, the Limited and plenty of other mall brands for prices far cheaper than any other of its breed — TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, Filene’s Basement. I’ve walked away with $10 dresses, $5 shoes and $2 shirts.

However, not all Gabriel Brothers are created equal. As the cheapskate I am, I make a point to stop at any Gabes outlet in my path. Here’s my rundown on where to find (or not find) the best bargains in the Mid-Atlantic area:

Hit theses shops:

Cumberland, MD

This is the most upscale Gabes I’ve ever visited. Everything since has been a disappointment. It’s lightening and relative orderliness put it on par with higher-class bargain outlets, such as TJ Maxx. However, its prices are just as low.  It’s also remarkable for having a lot of Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft clothes. I still wear the black, Ann Taylor shirt dress I snagged here for $10.

12101 Winchester Rd.
Suite 23
Lavale, MD 21502

Clarksburg, WV

This Gabes is off the shopping mecca called Emily Drive. It has every chain store and chain restaurant imaginable, and it’s not missing a Gabes. This outlet has a particularly strong men’s section. The other half of We’re Out of Here walked away with a polo, Gap pants and a Calvin Klien button down for $30.

134 Thompson Drive
Gabriel Brothers Plaza
Clarksburg, WV 26330

Skip these shops:

Parkersburg, WV:  While you should always expect Gabes to have a few racks of camo and overalls, this outlet had one hillbilly outfit too many. The men’s department was overrun by XXL sweats and hunting getups. The women’s section, though, was mysteriously empty. The racks were far apart and not well stocked. I wanted to chalk its bad performance up to the changing seasons; it was late August when we visited. But other Gabes aficionados agree that this branch is one of the weaker outlets.  It’s worth driving on to Clarksburg.

280 Park Center Drive
Parkersburg, WV 26101

Winchester, VA: The closest store to my home in Northern Va, was a disappointment. Like the Parkersburg branch, this outlet suffered from a mysteriously lacking women’s section.  There were far too many polyester dresses, ratty overcoats and garments stocked only in size 2 and 18 – but nothing in between. The normally prominent Ann Taylor section was stuffed into a corner and looking like it had just survived WWIII. However, strong men’s (French Connection coat = $20) and home wares (Corningware set = $12) sections almost made up for it.

130-3 Delco Plaza
Winchester, Va. 22602

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