But I enjoy antique shops, TJMax and occasionally Target. No Target where I live, so that is why I sometimes enjoy it . It is a seldom visit
There are national chain restaurants and regional chain restaurants. I like some of both.
Cheddars is a regional chain and since they’ve come to Alabama, they have been very popular ( I think they’re originally from Texas). They have a bit of everything, and everything is very reasonably priced.
Longhorn Steakhouse -
Jason’s Deli
Another Broken Egg Cafe …yummy Benedicts
for national chains, I like:
PF Changs
Cheesecake Factory
Red Robin has gotten much better in recent years
In n Out (oh yay!)
5 Guys
I don’t know if Chevy’s is regional or national, but I LOVE their salsa.
We live in a newer master planned community that touted only allowing non-chain stores/restaurants (aside from the grocery stores) in its literature and sales ads. Kind of like an old-time community, with lots of biking/walking trails, parks, clubhouses with pools and activities for kids and families. It sounded so idyllic. Well, 15 years later, we have numerous empty store fronts which had previously been occupied by mom and pop type establishments. Why? The rents were too much for such businesses to thrive. So, now they sit empty, because even the chains won’t pay the steep leases. The community had to reasses their stance on no-chains, so now we have the usual crap fast food places (McD’s, A&W, KFC), and low end clothing retailer Kohls. Would have loved a Chipotle, and a TJ’s. And a bookstore…and for the love of God no more nail salons, dry cleaners or phone stores! It would have been nice to live in a community with a unique downtown/restaurant district…maybe next time.
@doschicos I do- and I am so grateful!
My hamlet has very few chains and none in the center (aka 4 Corners.) We have a village market & a butcher, a frame shop, a book store, a coffee cafe & bake shop, a yoga studio, a luncheonette (been there for over 50 years,) a pub, 2 pizza shops, a pharmacy, a day spa, a few banks, a liquor store, a jeweler, an upscale restaurant, a Japanese restaurant, a vegan restaurant, a Chinese take out (has a few tables but no one eats there,) a consignment shop and a wine bar is about to open (was an ice cream shop and before that a gift shop.) Most of these have been there for years. We do have a few chains but they are in another hamlet in my town - about 4 miles or so from the village center. That’s where Lowes, Pet Smart & Walmart are and the chain restaurants (though there are also local stores there, too - like a used book store, etc. ) The strip mall a couple of miles down from the village center has mostly local stores and restaurants, too.
We chose to live here 24 years ago instead of other area communities because of having a real village center (and excellent schools) instead of suburbs where we could get a house twice the size for the same amount of $ but had main roads filled with chain stores and strip malls.
I remember being a teen and loved travelling and going to other people’s malls. There would be stores I had never seen. It was exciting. It was great.
Have you ever been to a Medieval Times? Hooters? Any dinner-and-a-movie venue? These are extreme examples where people forgo food quality for ambience/entertainment.
And what does that tell you?
Again, you are missing the point… For some people, eating out is considered a treat. It’s more than just filling your stomach with good food - you can do this at home with higher quality food, for much less money! People like to eat out for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is ambience/atmosphere. That “gimmicky” decor/architecture pays off for many of these chains as people clearly don’t mind eating average food in an above-average atmosphere.
If people were looking for only the highest quality food, chains would go out of business, plain and simple!
love REI
hate Kmart
Target has a pretty small grocery selection, but on everything they do have they have very good prices compared to bigger supermarkets for the exact same item.
^^Ours does not, only their Greek yogurt prices are competitive. So that’s one thing I get at Target besides cleaning supplies.
Our Target has a huge food section. It’s just small for a few fresh/non refrigerated produce items. Prices aren’t universally lower. Both my local independent market and local WF are getting pretty competitive on a range of items. (Two blocks apart and another big WF less than two miles.)
Add me to those who rarely go to the mall. But the Nordstrom cafe is great.
I dunno. I buy those bertolli frozen meals from target for $5.99 when they’re $7.49 at the major grocery chain here, and the Amy’s frozen dinners for $3.39 at Target when they’re $4.79 at the grocery chain. And the Sabra hummus tins are $2.50 at Target and $3.49 at the major grocery chain. And the Nature Valley granola bars are $2.19 at Target and $2.79 at the major grocery chain.
My sister told me we have no McDonalds in our city. I don’t go there so I didn’t pay attention.
Love
Bonefish Grill, specifically the Bang Bang Shrimp!
Okay. I just made my first trip to the Container Store. Like.
@lookingforward - like, like, like!