When I first moved to Manhattan we had many independent stores. Now it’s mainly chain stores. (I love the Time Warner mall, though I want to bomb Time Warner–not really but I dream about it.)
We have a Home Depot in Manhattan. It’s a combination Home Depot/Expo store; I shake at the mere thought of it. A Bed Bath & Beyond recently opened in my ‘hood. Haven’t been in it yet because I know that I would buy out the store.
When K Mart first opened my friends and I went to both Manhattan stores often because it had things we had never seen before at home.
I just heard that a Wal Mart is opening in Queens. I’ve never been in one. Fave niece cried when I told her, several years ago, that I had never been in a Target. She thought I lived a deprived life and was the poorest person she had ever met. When I explained that we didn’t have any she didn’t believe me. Then she wanted to take me to one.
I called her to tell her that a Target had opened 20 minutes uptown by subway. She was very happy. So am I. Life is good.
I know many people think that the brilliance of Manhattan is its independent stores. I used to. But life was more difficult and the chains came in anyway. Might as well be ones I can use.
Tomorrow I’m going to Home Depot for a new shower head. Life is better than good.