I went to Staunton in search of a department store last week. All I wanted was some winter pajamas, and some Clinique moisturizer. That’s not much to ask, eh?
I knew I could probably find what I wanted at Belks. And – bonus! – there is a Red Lobster near it. I love the coconut shrimp at Red Lobster; it’s difficult for me to pass up a Red Lobster when I happen to find one.
I was shocked when I got to the “mall.” Or, what was once known as the Staunton Mall. I could see Belks at the very end, just where it has been for years. But the rest of what I observed was sadly being demolished. There were no stores – none! – still standing. The place was full of concrete rubble, and gaping holes where stores once stood, or open spaces with nothing in them but detritus. The place truly resembled something you’d find in, say, Beirut, after a bombing. There was nothing! Nothing but Belks. I don’t know how they manage to stay in business.
It is quite difficult to find what we used to call a “department store” anywhere these days. Other than the sad remains of Belks in Staunton, I think there may still be a Macy’s at Valley View. If Valley View Mall even still exists in Roanoke. I don’t know. I don’t really venture that far these days.
Winter pajamas? I knew I could probably find some at – ta da! – Walmart. Sadly, Walmart is the only place to find clothing these days. And, I partially blame Walmart for the decline and demise of shopping malls and downtowns across America. The other “culprit” is online shopping.
But, you cannot try on clothing online. You’ve just gotta hope for a fit and, if it doesn’t fit, you must go through the hassle of boxing it up and mailing it back. I don’t know when I last bought shoes. Shoes simply must be tried on. I’ve given up.
And forget about Clinique products, or, say, Chanel No. 5. Those are certainly not available in Walmart. Or anywhere but … online! At least, you don’t have to try them on; they always fit!
My sister encountered much the same situation this week when she went to what must be called the former mall in Lewisburg. She was looking for the optician’s office. Every door she went to was locked up tight. Every storefront and restaurant was vacant. When she finally found an insurance office open, she inquired about the optician.
“Oh, you go back to where the movie theater used to be, past the former such-and-so restaurant, and look around; you’ll find it.” She eventually did.
The one good thing about that former mall is Carlito’s, a Mexican restaurant. But even Carlito’s isn’t “in” the mall anymore. It moved into the former Chinese restaurant that was adjacent. I love Carlito’s. The food is Mexican, but not too spicy.
I long for the “good old days” of downtown Covington shopping. There were two “dime stores,” two department stores, several restaurants, an optician’s office, even two jewelry stores. A day shopping in downtown Covington was a destination; an adventure in shopping.
Lately, there has been some resurgence of options on Main Street. But, I sincerely doubt we’ll ever find a department store there again.
As the old song says, “You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.”
The good old days … we had to love ‘em!
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