RETAIL ROUNDUP:

NEWPORT BEACH — The Calendar Club at Fashion Island might want to consider renting out copies of “Jackasses and the Funny Things They Say,” the seasonal store’s most out-there animal calendar for 2008.

Not many customers have purchased copies of the wall calendar, which features photos of jackasses — of the animal variety — along with captions like “You were expecting Mr. Ed?” and “Let’s face it, I’m a doll.” Still, attention-wise, it’s one of the most popular items in the store. Salesman Jonathan Harrington said a number of people ventured into the tiny shop just to peruse the photos on the back cover.

“Certain people come in, and they just have a ball,” he said. “They’ll stand there and laugh for five or 10 minutes.”

Jackasses aside, the Calendar Club — which opened Nov. 5 by the carousel and plans to stay until Dec. 30 — offers a wide array of calendar designs for 2008, including sports, geography, pop music and TV shows. The store features mostly wall calendars but also has a selection of desktop styles with topics ranging from Bible and Zen quotes to “The 365 Stupidest Things Ever Said.”

Fashion Island plans to welcome another seasonal store today in Sheepdogs, which sells slippers and boots made of authentic sheepskin. The store, in Atrium Court, is scheduled to open at 10 a.m. and remain at the mall through Dec. 31.

Bubbling up discounts at women’s store

Patrons of the Champagne boutique’s anniversary celebration this weekend shouldn’t get their hopes up too much: The store will not be giving away free merchandise 72 years from now.

For the time being, though, the Westcliff Plaza women’s clothing store has a catchy hook for its 28th anniversary sale.

Champagne, which offers casual clothes and sportswear for women, will give customers a 28% discount on all items today through Sunday.

“People ask, ‘What if you make it to 50?’” said co-owner Joan Howard. “We’re not giving you half off.”

The three-day anniversary sale also provides a raffle ticket, along with a complimentary gift of a necklace or ankle bracelet, for any customer with a purchase of $100 or more. Winners of the raffle will receive $200 gift cards for Champagne.

The boutique, at the intersection of Irvine Avenue and 17th Street, is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Call (949) 645-6731 for more information.

MICHAEL MILLER may be reached at (714) 966-4617 or at [email protected].