I have to confess: I’ve walked by the new Len Druskin outlet in the City center many, many times, always dismissing it as too expensive, too stuffy, too not-my-style.  But last week, while en route to my monthly deal-hunt at the basement Marshall’s, I decided to give Len a try.  And I was pleasantly surprised.

Len has rack upon rack of stylish clothing, neatly organized and impeccably sized (as is usually not the case at outlet stores), and at a range of prices.  Everything in the store is at least 50% off, with deeper discounts throughout.  There is a wide variety of brands, from unknown to designer, and if you’ve experienced the frustration of a clearance rack in which the only sizes are XS and XXXL, you’ll appreciate the wide availability of sizes at Len.

And then there are the accessories: more than a dozen sparkly racks and tables of necklaces, earrings, bracelets, headbands, belts and handbags, all at prices that make it easy to justify buying three or four (or five or ten).  My only complaint about Len?  The open layout and big windows made me continually nervous that my boss would walk by and see me shopping.  There is a lot to look at, and I was there for awhile, so if you’re planning to go, block out a good chunk of time, and come up with a good excuse.

Adding to Len Druskin’s well-established repertoire (which includes a Southdale outlet), Len is a welcome addition to the downtown retail market, adding a previously lacking step between the bargain basement (Marshall’s) and the pricey (everything else).  For price (and style) minded shoppers such as myself, it’s the perfect compromise.

Len, Minneapolis City Center, 612-455-1663, http://www.shoplen.com/