About TREAT® - 'the sample sale boutique'

In the past several years, the DC area has become more fashion-forward with the arrival of several exciting shops featuring fantastic options in women's contemporary apparel. However, being chic can often come with a hefty price tag attached!  We felt that DC still lacked a place where savvy girls could find beautiful designer clothes at affordable prices, without having to search through racks of leftovers at big-box discount stores or outlet malls, or wait for special sale events held once a year, only to battle long lines and frenzied crowds.

Solution: We created a ‘sample sale boutique’.

It's like having a weekly sample sale, but offered in a small, boutique setting. TREAT scouts overstock inventory, end of season merchandise and discontinued items from designers and retail stores based in DC and throughout the US and hand picks the best pieces. TREAT customers can find amazing deals on popular brands of women's clothing, shoes and handbags --  most items are discounted at least 50% off original retail prices!

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is a sample sale?
  2. What is a sample sale boutique?
  3. Is TREAT a consignment shop?
  4. What sizes are available at TREAT?
  5. What designers and brands can I find at TREAT?
  6. How often does TREAT update inventory?
  7. Which methods of payment are accepted at TREAT?
  8. What is TREAT's return policy?
  9. Does TREAT offer gift certificates?
  10. Where is TREAT located?
  11. Is TREAT Metro-accessible?
  12. When is TREAT open?
  13. How do you select your inventory?
  14. How can I contact TREAT?


  1. What is a sample sale?
    A sample sale generally refers to a special event where stores or designers sell off excess or end of season merchandise and showroom samples at deep discounts. Very commonly found in New York or LA, these sales historically featured only sample merchandise in small sizes, but today are much broader in scope and include overstock merchandise in a range of sizes.

  2. What is a sample sale boutique?
    We coined the term to refer to our unique shop, where customers can find a highly edited selection of discounted merchandise year-round in a boutique environment. TREAT is a permanent sample sale, the first and only shop of its kind in the Washington DC area, featuring women’s clothing, shoes and handbags at 30-80% off original retail prices.

  3. Is TREAT a consignment shop?
    A consignment shop typically sells gently used or worn items that are consigned by individual customers. TREAT sells merchandise received directly from designers, manufacturers or other retail shops that happens to be overstock, discontinued or end of season, typically in brand new condition.

  4. What sizes are available at TREAT?
    We generally offer sizes 0–12. Although we make every effort to offer the broadest range of sizes possible, we often have a limited selection of sizes in most styles given the nature of our business.

  5. What designers and brands can I find at TREAT?
    We stock many popular contemporary lines such as Nanette Lepore, Milly, Cynthia Steffe, Tocca and Tracy Reese, but often offer unique pieces from lesser known, up and coming and local designers as well. Our selection varies, but you can find a list of recent inventory here.

  6. How often does TREAT update inventory?
    We receive new items almost every week. Stop in early and often for the best selection!

  7. Which methods of payment are accepted at TREAT?
    We welcome cash, Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

  8. What is TREAT's return policy?
    Store credit is offered for most unworn items returned within fourteen (14) days of purchase, with original sales receipt and tags in tact. Items purchased during certain sales or special events held periodically throughout the year are final sale, meaning that the discounts are so deep, we can not accept returns or exchanges.

  9. Does TREAT offer gift certificates?
    Yes, we sell gift certificates in any denomination. If you do not live in the immediate area, but are interested in purchasing a gift certificate for someone, we are happy to mail the certificate free of charge. Please contact us for details.

  10. Where is TREAT located?
    103 South Saint Asaph Street, between King and Prince.  For driving directions and a reference map, click here.

  11. Is TREAT Metro-accessible?
    The nearest Metro stop is King Street on the Yellow or Blue Line.  From there, you can walk down King Street (about 15 minutes) and turn right on Saint Asaph Street, or take the free King Street Trolley service to the corner of King and Saint Asaph Street.

  12. When is TREAT open?
    Treat is now open five days a week:  Wednesday - Saturday 11-7, and Sunday 12-6.

  13. How do you select your inventory?
    TREAT works directly with a number of designers and boutiques up and down the East Coast and across the country to help manage their excess stock.  We review merchandise available for liquidation, such as overstock and showroom samples, and select designs we believe our customers would love.  We are always looking for new sources of inventory, so if you are a designer, manufacturer, boutique owner or sales rep and are interested in selling your overstock or sample merchandise at TREAT, please contact us at info@shoptreat.com.

  14. How can I contact TREAT?
    If you have additional questions, please call us at 703.535.3294 or send an email to info@shoptreat.com.