All the World’s a Shopping Mall
Everyone gets a certain high from finding a really cool item or a great deal, but my shopping-related elation goes beyond basic retail therapy to a full-blown addiction. I never met a gift shop that I didn’t like. No souvenir store is too cheesy. I’ve been to every market that ever peddled a trinket or garment. Nothing makes me happier than when I’m browsing racks of clothing, shelves of glassware or trays of pretty things for ears and fingers. Pottery is my new obsession, I can’t get enough artwork and I’ve been buying cardigans in every color and pattern long before Taylor Swift ever thought to sing about them.
In fact, a large portion of everything I do is in some way motivated by shopping. I’ll sign up for grueling athletic events just to shop for the event’s mug, hoodie or T-shirt. I plan travel based around which places have the best shops, then spend hours wandering through every store in any given town. When I worked on cruise ships years ago, every port on six continents was just an excuse to check out that locale’s shopping and buy souvenirs.
Locally, the Chattanooga Market is my happy place (I even bought the T-shirt that says so!). Every Sunday, I walk about 5 miles round trip to get there and back. It allows me to get in my steps for the day, and knowing there’s shopping when I arrive means I’ll pick up the pace and have a better workout.
Of course, far from having unlimited funds, I have to be strategic with what I purchase — both budget and storage space are factors. But bringing home an economical token or two makes me as happy as a kid in a candy store. Or a clothing store. Or pretty much any store, stall or stand that sells stuff.
This issue is for fellow shopaholics. We’ve got an article on the Chattanooga Market. We have an article on museum gift shops. We look at stores — both local and out-of-town — offering an endless stock of temptations. We’ve even got an article on mall walkers, who, like me, blend a little shopping into their exercise regimen. Good things are in store!
EDITOR KBRADSHAW@TIMESFREEPRESS.COM