Do you love bargains? Then you're going to love shopping at Filene's Basement in Boston during your upcoming New England car rental vacation. Founded in 1909 by Edward A. Filene, Filene's Basement is now a nation-wide chain of discount retailers. From designer jeans to beautiful bridal gowns, you'll find it all (and a little something more!) at the original Filene's Basement.

A revolutionary way to price merchandise

Filene's Basement, like other bargain stores, is known for having rock-bottom prices. But, unlike other discount retailers, Filene's doesn't just mark their stock down once. Filene's uses the Automatic Mark Down System. Created by Mr. Filene himself, the Automatic Mark Down System involves marking the original price tag with the date that the item was originally placed on the sales floor. The longer the item is on the sales floor, the more the price will automatically be reduced, first 25%, then 50%, and finally 75%. If the item isn't sold once it has been marked down to 75% off, the item is donated to charity.

The Running of the Brides

Are you currently engaged and on the hunt for the perfect wedding dress? Well, grab your bridesmaids and hope in your New England car rental – the dress of your dreams is waiting over at Filene's Basement! Each year, Filene's Basement hosts "The Running of the Brides" event inside various Filene's Basement locations across the nation. This one-day sales event attracts brides to be from all over the nation – there are literally hundreds of brides that line up outside the door waiting for the sale to start. Why's this event so popular with betrothed women? It's all about the price! Filene's Basement stocks thousands of wedding gowns for this day, marking them each down drastically. Prices vary from $249.00 to $699.00, marked down from retail prices as high as $9,000! Doors open at 8am for this event, so don't wait. Grab your friends and get ready for the shopping experience of a lifetime.

A national icon

Filene's Basement has had a major effect on New England car rental bargain shoppers – so much so, that a movie was even made about the landmark discount establishment! "Voices from the Basement" is a documentary honoring the original employees of this Boston flagship store. New England car rental travelers will take a trip back in time while viewing this film, which features newsreels, archival footage and vintage photographs from the original Filene's Basement store. The film concludes with comments from Boston developer John B. Hynes III and the new Filene's owner Marcy Syms. Both share their thoughts on the future of the famed landmark, and their thoughts on the Filene name.

Find a Filene's near you

There are currently seven great Filene's locations in Massachusetts, providing New England car rental travelers with plenty of bargain hunting possibilities. These stores are located at the following addresses:

• Back Bay: 497 Boylston Street, Boston 617-424-5520
• Hours: Monday through Saturday from 9am to 9pm, Sunday from 11am to 7pm Braintree: South Shore Plaza, Braintree 781-849-0031
• Hours: Monday through Saturday from10am to 9pm, Sunday from noon to 6pm Newton: 215-227 Needham Street, Newton 617-332-1295
• Hours: Monday through Saturday from 9:30am to 10pm, Sunday from 11am to 7pm Norwood: 560 Boston Providence Highway, Norwood 781-769-8200
• Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10am to 9pm, Sunday from 11am to 7pm Peabody: Northshore Mall, Peabody 978-532-2400
• Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10am to 9pm, Sunday from noon to 6 pm Saugus: Square One Mall, Saugus 781-231-8153
• Hours: Monday through Saturday 10am to 9pm, Sunday from noon to 6pm Watertown: Arsenal Mall, Watertown 617-926-4474
• Hours: Monday through Saturday from 9:30am to 9pm, Sunday from noon to 6pm.

New England car rental travelers can learn more about Filene's Basement online at www.filenesbasement.com.