It’s a shopper’s dream come true — 40,000 pieces of designer clothing all in one Island facility and with near-wholesale price tags. To make the deal even sweeter, a large portion of money generated from clothing sales will go to Youth Theatre Northwest’s 2006-2007 operating budget.

The Youth Theatre Northwest (YTN) Warehouse Benefit will place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

The benefit was the brainchild of YTN Board member Cary Roth and his wife, fashion designer, Sharon Roth. Both are Mercer Island residents.

“We think that Youth Theatre Northwest is a great cause,” Sharon Roth said, noting that her daughter practically lives there. “I think it’s perfect because people would buy these clothes anyway, but this way the proceeds go toward something worthwhile.”

Cary Roth said the idea for the Warehouse Benefit sprang from a board meeting about a month ago when they were brainstorming ways to fundraise for YTN.

“Youth Theatre Northwest is tough to raise money for because it competes against other causes that seem very urgent, like curing diseases and such,” he said. “But kids who come through Youth Theatre Northwest really gain a lot of leadership qualities and other skills that in turn, create leaders to go out and help solve these bigger problems.”

The Warehouse Benefit will feature 2007 spring and summer fashions that are not yet available in stores. These women’s fashions are usually available nationwide at such store as Holt Renfrew, Takashimaya, Wilkes Bashford, Louis of Boston, Fred Segal, Forty Five Ten, Lane Crawford, Tootsie, Harari, Planet Blue, Madison, Theodore, Savannah and many other stores across the country.

The sale will feature two lines by Sharon Roth called Jarbo and J2.

“Jarbo is a modern lifestyle sportswear, while J2 is an active lifestyle sportswear,” said Roth. Jarbo is more street-wear, she said. “You could wear it out to dinner.”

The items for sale include Italian leather jackets and coats, Pima cotton T-shirts and underpinnings, mercerized Pima cotton sweaters and knits, cashmere cotton knits, silk/wool spandex separates, French terry active separates, paper-thin cashmere tunics and tulle separates. The sale will also feature skirts, pants, jackets and casual dresses fresh for this season’s new trends.

“What’s cool is that these clothes are for everyone,” said Roth of her collections. The sizes range from size four to size 12, and according to Roth, “Mothers and daughters could both find things here to wear.”

Youth Theatre Northwest’s executive director Ben Keylin said there is currently a display in the lobby of the facility featuring mannequins dressed in the Jarbo and J2 collections.

“We’ve been generating interest in the sale through the display and by announcing the benefit at plays and in our programs,” he said. People can touch the mannequins and get a feel for what fabrics and style the sale will feature. Keylin said the theater is expecting crowds on Saturday, and is staffed with around 35 workers and volunteers to help out.

The Warehouse Benefit is open to the general public. Purchases may be made using Visa, MasterCard or cash. All items will be displayed inside Youth Theatre’s facility, with dressing rooms set up so that all items can be tried on before purchasing.

“Mercer Island customers are exactly who we sell to,” said Roth. This weekend, Youth Theatre Northwest is the place where shoppers can freshen up their summer wardrobes and give back to the community all at once.

For further questions or details, please call Youth Theatre Northwest at 232-4145 ext. 101. Also, potential shoppers are welcome to stop by the theater’s facilities to check out Sharon Roth’s designs on the mannequins.