blue artichoke

My love for Wal-Mart is legendary (well, I suppose there aren't actually any legends, but my affinity for Wal-Mart is well-known among those who know me), so it is with great sadness that I realize that my Wal-Mart browsing days are pretty much over. First, the closest Wal-Mart is far away from where I live. Second, I have to get on the beltway to get there, which makes it take even longer; idling in inches-per-minute traffic to save a few bucks is not a sound financial decision. Third, it's depressing. I'm used to bright and cheery Wal-Marts where an old fellow greets me warmly as I enter and the check-out clerk calls me "honey" or "sugar." The Wal-Mart here has an unfamiliar culture. It's dingy and crowded with grumpy people who don't considerately move out of the way to let other people pass through the aisles. Each trip feels like a battle. Instead of leaving satisfied and happy, I leave surly and disappointed, and then have to face traffic jams on the way home. Nope, not worth it. And, unfortunately, Sam's Club is even worse. Somehow, I leave there feeling like I've been picked on.

There is a lovely Target right across the parking lot from the Wal-Mart, which has been a bright refuge for me. It serves the same geographical area and attracts a similar demographic, but it never seems crowded and I leave feeling better than when I entered. Too bad the distance and the traffic problems remain. I do, however, think there is a Target closer to where I live, but even it isn't very convenient and requires a special trip.

This is a new facet of city life that I'm discovering: a convenient location trumps lower prices. I suspect that I'll be a frequent shopper at the Rite Aid, CVS, Office Depot, Container Store and Ace Hardware that fall along my daily path. It might be money-expensive, but it is time-thrifty, and in a city like this, time is a more valuable commodity.

Getting to Know All About You: What store do you frequent most often?