sales talk

-- After 36 years in the retail business, the owners of Sparrows are retiring and having a liquidation sale. In preparation for the store closing at the end of the year (one partner plans to keep the restoration workshop open), the French antiques store is marking down everything in the showroom and warehouse 50 percent off retail price starting Thursday. That includes a pair of art deco chairs by Follot that were regularly $7,800 and are now $3,900. The store is at 4115 Howard Ave., Kensington, and the warehouse is at 4216 Howard Ave. The warehouse will be open for the sale Saturday and Sunday. Call 301-530-0175 or visit http://www.sparrows.com.

-- The Community Forklift, a thrift store that sells salvage, surplus and new home items, is celebrating its fourth anniversary in November. Shoppers will find Victorian to mid-century modern pieces in the 40,000-square-foot store. Discounts include granite countertops priced at $4 per square foot and 40 percent off most kitchen cabinets, all ceramic tiles and some lighting fixtures. Community Forklift is at 4671 Tanglewood Dr., Edmonston. Call 301-985-5180 or visit http://www.communityforklift.com.

-- Thirty-year-old Susquehanna Antique Co. is discounting everything in the Georgetown store 20 to 60 percent off regular prices starting in November. Because of the economy, owner David Friedman is closing the store in the spring, and he's trying to trim inventory and overhead. The store specializes in European and American pre-1840s traditional furniture, paintings spanning the 17th to 20th centuries and frames. Friedman will be discounting these items plus silverware, porcelain and garden accessories, totaling more than 1,000 items overall. The store is at 3216 O St. NW. Call 202-333-1511 or visit http://www.susquehannaantiques.com.

-- C.I.D. Draperies and Upholstery starts a sale Monday. Shoppers will find discounts on fabrics, custom curtains and upholstery projects, hardware and Hunter Douglas window treatments. In particular, all fine fabrics will be marked 25 percent off retail prices, including those from Robert Allen, Kravet and Lady Ann Fabrics. Regular prices average $20 to $700 per yard. Shoppers will also get 10 percent off labor if they order custom curtains or need a master craftsman to upholster furniture. And all custom hardware and Hunter Douglas shades will be discounted 20 percent off retail. Sale continues until Jan. 30. The store is a 7400-G Lindbergh Dr., Gaithersburg. Call 301-977-2015 or visit http://www.ciddraperies.com.

-- Kathleen Hom

Having a sale? Let us know the details at least two weeks in advance. Write us at localliving@washpost.com, or call 202-334-4409.