I finally made it to Nordstrom today. If I had to choose one word to describe the store, it would be "expensive". I was shocked by the prices. There was not one sale (or at least I did not see anything on sale). For some reason, my memory of Nordstrom was quite different. I remember shopping there frequently. It was one of my favorite stores. I know I would not have shopped there if everything was as expensive as it was today. I guess times have changed. I also remember a great home department where towels and sheets were sold. I either missed that section or this Nordstrom does not have a home department. I will probably be doing most of my shopping at the Nordstrom Rack instead of Nordstrom in the future. I just can't rationalize paying $48.00 for a t-shirt type shirt or $98.00 for a pair of jeans.
My impression of the shoe section was not any better than the clothing section. When reading all the "opening store hype, the shoe section was described as having tens of thousands of pairs of shoes. In reality the shoe section seemed no different than the Nordstrom Shoe Store, which has been in Hawaii for the past few years.
The one shoe display which seemed a bit odd (or perhaps I am just not a stylish person) was the Uggs section. Maybe I am missing somthing, but somehow I don't associate fur with summer shoes. I had my camera with me but did not think to take a photo while in the shoe section. I searched online and found an example of the fur sandals being sold.
My plan for the day was to check out Nordstrom and then meet a friend at the new gelato bar. Since I was already in Nordstrom, I went to check out the gelato bar before she arrived. Once more I was a little disappointed. There were only a few flavors and no cones. For some reason, I imagined a gelato bar with more ambiance. The people who worked there were very friendly and gave me a few samples which were all delicious but the seating area just seemed a little too sterile.
I decided on plan B instead. I left Nordstrom, checked out a few of the other new stores nearby, and then waited for my friend to call. I suggested that we meet at the Coffee Company nearby where they also sold the same gelato from the same Gelateria store. This way, we could sit outside at a nice little table. I always love our get togethers which are all too infrequent. We spent a wonderful few hours chatting and catching up on things while eating delicious gelato together. It was definitely the highlight of my day.
I guess my expectations were just too high. Luckily I still have two more new openings to look forward to - Whole Foods (can't wait for this one to finally open) and Target! - a store I have never been in but have heard so much about.
Comments (8)
Whole Foods isn't cheap either - there is a reason why folk refer to it as Whole Pay Cheque! *smile*
I have only been to a few Nordstrum stores and i always found them to be expensive. Good quality, but expensive.
Posted by Jerry | March 20, 2008 1:24 AM
Posted on March 20, 2008 01:24
Yes, unfortunately Whole Foods will not be cheap, but becasue I do most of my shopping at health food stores, where the food is also very expensive, the prices at Whole Foods will probably be similar to what I have been paying. The good thing about Whole Foods will be more choices.
Somehow paying more for good quality food is easier for me to rationalize than paying $98.00 for a pair of jeans. When I go to the regular supermarkets, even if my refrigerator is empty, I can't seem to fill up even half of my cart with food they offer. Too much crap sold in the regular supermarkets in my opinion.
The not so great thing about Whole Foods though is that the 3 stores that are coming here are all 25-30 miles from my house - so I will also be paying for the extra gas and driving through traffic to shop there.
Posted by girasoli | March 20, 2008 1:13 PM
Posted on March 20, 2008 13:13
You've never been in a Target?!? Target has great deals on toiletries and household stuff, but I always end up spending more money than planned. My shopping at Target always ends up going something like this: Okay, I'm just going there to buy this one thing. Oh, but I could use this...and this...and this...and this...
Posted by Jill | March 20, 2008 5:45 PM
Posted on March 20, 2008 17:45
I guess that is the Island collection of uggs~ UGLY!
I am a Target fan... ours is about a mile away. I could walk. Not that I do, but I could!
Posted by sandi @ the whistlestop cafe | March 21, 2008 2:15 AM
Posted on March 21, 2008 02:15
I like Nordstrom for certain things (I actually bought a pair of expensive jeans there!) such as make up and the occasional sweater on sale.
Jill, I had to laugh at your comment about Target - I've decided to stop going because I always would buy more than the toiletries and detergent I came for.
Posted by Chiocciola | March 21, 2008 4:23 AM
Posted on March 21, 2008 04:23
Oh my gosh, Target is awesome! I'm like Jill - I always end up buying more than I'd planned but the prices are so reasonable that you can afford to splurge.
You know, when our Nordstrom first opened, it was like yours - a little bit too high end. They've toned it down some and it's better now with more reasonably priced stuff. I love the shoe dept. at ours! So maybe they will tweak yours if they decide the market is different.
Posted by Annie | March 21, 2008 7:08 AM
Posted on March 21, 2008 07:08
I also shop that way so often. I go into the store not getting a cart and then end up juggling all the things in my hands. That's why I try not to shop. I always end up spending more than I planned on spending.
Yes, I have never been to Target...amazing! There never has been one where I have lived. I hear it is better than WalMart and KMart. I hope so.
I am hoping that Nordstrom will realize that they will get more customers if they sell more of their reasonably priced merchandise. Otherwise it will just be another huge empty building.
Posted by girasoli | March 21, 2008 4:47 PM
Posted on March 21, 2008 16:47
Chiocciola reminded me....the Nordstrom cosmetics counters are awesome! I like the fact that you can go in and get a makeover and they don't pressure you to buy stuff like they do at other dept. stores. One time, about 10 women from my office all went to Nordstom together and had lunch and then all had our make-up done (we called them in advance and they were ready for us)...it was a lot of fun.
Posted by Annie | March 22, 2008 8:50 AM
Posted on March 22, 2008 08:50