The Oysterville Store
My maiden name is Little. Add that to the fact that I was usually the smallest, skinniest kid in my class and there is undoubtedly some politically incorrect and deep-seated, psychological reason that I strongly disagree with the notion ‘bigger is better.’
A few of my old high school friends might remember that I was active in student government and won more than one campaign with the slogan, “Good Things Come in Little Packages.” I still think those are words to live by. Whether it’s a teeny-tiny present on the Christmas tree or those darling miniature goats at the county fair, I gravitate to the smaller end of most spectrums. One-room schools over gigantic K-12 complexes… Small towns where you know your neighbors over the anonymity of a big city… A little boutique with a limited inventory over a big department store…
A Map to Shop By…Yikes!
So it was with a heavy heart and dragging steps that I did a little necessary (I thought) shopping at the “new, improved” Fred Meyer store in Warrenton yesterday. I had honestly forgotten about the remodel which they have been undergoing for a year or more. I think we’ve only been there twice since the store has been under siege. I had already thought the store was huge. Now with an added 39,000 square feet, it seems in-your-face obscene to me.
There were attractive, smiling greeters in every aisle who were cheerfully providing directions and handing out maps – even commiserating with grumbling shoppers who were lost or disoriented or who were (god forbid) just plain in a hurry. Simply looking across the store made me tired and very tempted to get one of those little electric ride-on carts. Maybe even ask about a GPS possibility. And, of course, the final straw was that with all the extra space and added products, they still didn’t have the particular cosmetic item that they stocked long-ago but discontinued because of lack of shelf space. Go figure! It was back to good old find-it-on-the-run-Walgreen’s for me.
Jack’s Country Store
By the time we got out of there, having accomplished our week-long exercise program by walking the aisles, I was vowing “never again.” Nyel, calmer and ever more realistic than I, was saying “it probably won’t be so bad when we get used to it.” I’m of the I’d-rather-do-without mind right now. And, really, if it can’t be found at the Oysterville Store or at Jack’s, do I really need it, anyway? “Shop Local and Shop Little” I say.
YEAH! My sentiments, exactly. Remember my maiden name was and is, again., Stone, as set in…Give me the old time ways of being and doing…..
This post really made me laugh, as our Fred Meyer in East Wenatchee has also gone under the “big remodel.” A year later I still can’t find anything, even though I am in agreement that the aisles are very clearly marked.
Compared to when they were doing lots of work and had drapes hanging down, it’s much easier to navigate. I agree about size. It’s a workout to shop there, but Tacoma’s is nearly as big. Gig Harbor’s is smaller, but little in the way of home goods. Most of the time we get along fine with smaller.
I think the answer for me would be a series of little shops — an electronics shop, a women’s clothing shop, a produce shop etc. And situated in a way that if I wanted an electronic device and also a pair of socks, I wouldn’t have to walk through miles of aisles devoted to things I don’t want. Small shops. Boutiques. But, heaven forbid, not in a mall format!
Wait ’till design review gets wind of the 10,000 sq. ft expansion planned the Oysterville Store! Valet parking! Kiddie room full of plastic balls! Drive through espresso at “Postal Coffee”. (KIDDING!!)