I’m not a good shopper. I have trouble at malls–in fact I’ve left big indoor malls in tears–and at big box stores. I think that it has something to do with the lighting and the closed-in feel. At smaller, open-air malls I’m often good for 80-90 minutes; and then an internal timer goes off letting me know that it’s time to go or sit down with a cup of tea. A few friends are true shoppers and when they go shopping with me they comment on how I just didn’t get the shopping gene.
But this shopping trouble doesn’t occur at small, independent stores and nurseries. In fact, there’s something at a good book, fabric, or housewares store that actually makes me relax. I’m not talking about the big chains–typically the lighting is so poor or the energy so bad that I can’t shop–I’m talking about shops like Stone Mountain and Daughter Fabrics in Berkeley or Peppercorn housewares in Boulder. I like office stores and hardware stores, too (but not Home Depot or Office Depot).
Last week when a gardener friend and I made a pilgrimage to Harmony Supply & Nursery in Graton, outside of Sebastopol in West Sonoma County I felt as relaxed as I do when I go out to my garden. As I stood in the nursery I felt the tension melt. I spent more than 90 minutes there. I could have been there longer, but it was a holiday weekend and we wanted to get back before the heavy traffic started. I have no qualms about shopping when I’m in a “retreat”.
I’m so glad you mentioned hardware stores! What ever happened to those great little hardware places? Okay, I know what happened– Home o’ Depot Crap and Lostness. There used to be a great little hardware store on MacArthur in Oakland’s Laurel District that I used to venture into during my art student days at Mills… I really dug that place.
Although I live a few blocks from a Home Depot I go to the Ace Hardware in Alamo or to OSH. Last week I went to both and had a great time.
i love independent stores! i could lose a week in powell’s books, or boulder bookstore. AND at mcguckins. that place is amazing. but as soon as i’m shopping at the mall i get super mean and cranky and down. hahaha. i guess that’s the universe telling me i shouldn’t have clothes, just books and hammers. hahaha.