Baby, It's Cold Outside

Hey all - we're back. Sorry about the down time - hope you had a great holiday season and a happy new year. We sure did.

Of course, here in Chicago, the start of the new year means more than finally working off all that pizza weight: It signals the start of winter. Not the friendly, fluffy-flakes and twinkling-lights winter, mind you, but the in-your-face winter that dares you to step outside.

It officially started today: There are predictions of a high - high - of zero for The Second City. This is the sort of cold that makes you tear up involuntarily, then makes you worried that those tears will freeze your eyes shut.

So, if you've been putting off picking up those new winter boots, gloves, scarves, coats or whatever, bundle up in whatever you've got and head to Uncle Dan's. We'll set you up with some great new stuff that will keep you warm. Not quite as great as a cup of cocoa and a fire, but you can't take those with you, nor get them at prices like we have.

In fact, now through Jan. 31, we're marking down items every day, so keep stopping by to see what deals have popped up. Also, be sure to sign up for the e-club for even more deals.



As a bonus, here's a cool photo gallery of winter - no pun intended - from the Chicago Tribune.

2008 Coat Swap: Yet Another Success

For two weeks in November, Uncle Dan's gave away 1,400 coats.

Don't worry; our business model didn't go bizarro. It was just our 5th Annual Coat Swap! Customers donated their old - but still usable - coats and got 20% off a new piece of regular-priced winter outerwear. And we took those old coats to area charities. Coats donated at the Chicago stores went to the Jane Addams Hull House Association, coats from the Evanston store went to Connections for the Homeless, and coats from the Highland Park store went to the Grandfamilies Program of Chicago.

We do this through One Warm Coat, a national non-profit that assists in the donation of coats. Since its founding in 1992, about 750,000 coats have been has collected and distributed through OWC activities. Uncle Dan's customers and staff have donated more than 5,900 coats in our five coat drives.

If you missed the announcement for the swap and want to participate in next year's, make sure to sign up to the e-club to watch for this and more of our community-based programs. (Speaking of, don't forget that our can drive runs through Dec. 10!)

E-Club Members: Biggest in-season North Face sale ever

If you're a fan of Uncle Dan's and a fan of The North Face, you're in luck:
This week marks the start of our biggest in-season sale on one of our best and most-popular brands.

Through November 21st, E-Club members can get some great North Face products at great prices. Check it out:

20% off all mens', womens', and kids' jackets, hats, and gloves.
25% off all winter boots
30% off all daypack

Why is in-season such a big deal? Well, normally discounts like this only apply to product that you'll have to store in a closet for some time - parkas in the summer, lightweight trail pants in the winter. But with this deal, you can get some top-notch TNF stuff and use it right away.


And, you may ask, what if I'm not in the E-Club? Well, join! It's free and open to anyone with an e-mail address. You can sign up at any of our locations or head over to the sign-up page on the website. Bring in your coupon and you're in business.