'til you drop
Don't leave home - while you are all comfortable there in your chair, you might as well check out some of the online spots that I've found - the collection continues to grow::
Local Shopping
This is one mall website that is worth your time! It not only contains basic information like location and stores, it offers the weekly sales and special discounts! Plus, register for a weekly email update! Willow Bend is the upscale mall, which means that there will be even less reason for Plano-Allen-McKinney-Frisco shoppers to head to Dallas for the Galleria. Neiman-Marcus has now arrived in Plano, along with mall favorites and designer shops.
Collin Creek Mall - some new merchandise to check out when you are there: Big/Tall sizes have been added to the men's section at JCPenney stores. Mostly, the offerings are casual. JCPenney has also undergone renovation, expanding the girls' and boys' space and widening aisles. If you like Charlotte Russe or other trendy women's stores, you will love Forever 21. I'm not going to say much because then everyone in town will descend upon it - but nearly everyone is there already! American Eagle is starting to surpass Abercrombie & Fitch and the Gap in popularity, at least that's what I read about their sales figures. At least we have AE and Gap at Collin Creek and A&F is nearby at Stonebriar. Collin Creek has increased the number of stores that cater to young women's looks. Zutopia recently ditched their boys' line to go all-girl (sizes 7-14 girls). If you thought that Collin Creek was done for when Stonebriar opened, check it out. It offers the looks, without the hassle of driving to Frisco and finding a parking spot at Stonebriar.
Stonebriar Mall - that said about Collin Creek, it's been nice to have Stonebriar here for a change of pace. Before Stonebriar, you had to drive to Dallas' Galleria or Northpark to get something a little out of the ordinary. Judging by the number of people that were wearing Abercrombie shirts a few years ago, there must have been a lot of traffic to Galleria. Stonebriar must have put a major dent in Galleria's business, as it not only offers Abercrombie, but also Nordstrom's. It went one better than the other Dallas malls, offering an Abercrombie for kids' sizes as well as the adult version. Are you familiar with Nordstrom's? They migrated here from their Chicago base a few years ago. They are famous for their shoe department. It is the largest shoe dept. of any store I know. One more place to find your Docs. Build A Bear has created quite a stir. This St. Louis-based chain is a toy store, of sorts. For about $10-15, you choose the type of bear or other stuffed animal that you would like, then proceed through the "assembly line" to have it stuffed, add a wish heart, have it sewn up and then on to the "shower", clothing and accessories. The last stop is a computer center where new owners enter the vital stats about their bear, so that a birth certificate will print as you check out. The bear rides home in a big box, as if leaving the pet store. Sure, you can go crazy with the clothes, but you can get out of there with a personalized 10" bear for about $20. You will pay about this much for a dressed-up bear most anywhere else, so it is a pretty good bargain for the experience. It is already very popular with any person over the age of 2. They do birthday parties.
While you are at Stonebriar, you have to find these places: * Harry and David's gourmet goodies (lower level by Nordstrom's mall entrance) * two-story Barnes & Noble * Abercrombie/Fitch for adults AND another A&F for kids * top-notch JCPenney with a day spa and salon * a large AMC theater * Cheesecake Factory * California Pizza Kitchen. (I have to admit I have not gotten to Cheesecake Factory or C Pizza Kitchen yet, but I've heard raves from those who have). Cheesecake Factory is already notorious for long waiting lines, up to 2 hours. Get there when they open at 11 am!
Just north of Stonebriar is another mother-lode of shopping: Super Target, Bath & Body, DSW Shoe Warehouse, Best Buy, Old Navy, Staples, Half-Price Books and more. Hey, if you are into very stylish women's shoes, you should check out DSW Shoe Warehouse. DSW offers better shoes, at a discount. They do have men's and kids' shoes, but mostly women's. I'd say the average price is $40. That's good if you are looking at top brands. If you want some really cheap shoes, you won't find much there.
Bargain Shopping!
Plano Market Square - Don't forget this little gem at the intersection of Ave K and Spring Creek, just on the east side of Central and across from the Plano Centre. One of my very favorite stores for gift shopping is Mikasa, which offers a wonderful variety of glassware and dinnerware. Find a special and inexpensive gift for teachers, co-workers, friends and relatives here! Mikasa is located in a small strip of stores that face Ave K near the Market Square mall main entrance. Probably the biggest draw to Plano Market Square is Garden Ridge, the superstore of inexpensive home decor, floral and crafts.
Super! Everything is super-sized now - Super Target and Super Wal-Mart have brought the "everything plus groceries" concept to Plano. I had to get used to the idea, but it's very convenient to run over a few aisles to get some socks that you just remembered your child has to have tomorrow while you are out getting food for the upcoming week. I visit Super Wal-Marts more often, partly because there are two that are convenient to me and also because they have a great frozen entree section. If you take frozen entrees to work for lunch, you will enjoy perusing their selections, many of which are priced at less than $2.00 each. Super Target has nice merchandise, especially for the home. Super Targets are located at Park/Tollway and on Preston, north of Stonebriar Mall in Frisco. Super Wal-Marts are located at Coit/Spring Creek and on Ohio, north of Hedgcoxe. There is a Sam's Warehouse next to the Ohio Rd. location.
The Wholesale concept - Just as we were getting comfortable having a Sam's Club in Plano, Costco opened a location on 75, north of Parker. Costco's parking lot is always packed, I have noticed - but we are Sam's regulars. With wholesale stores, you have to pay an annual membership fee. So, you have to judge if you will save the equivalent of your membership investment in a year's time. Also, wholesale shopping is tricky for folks who are in their starter home, with only a few closets and no extra storage. A deep freezer is definitely a bonus to have if you are really going to take advantage of wholesale shopping. The cost savings that you get is generally due to the very large quantities that you are buying. Most everything is sold in a bulk size. However, if you have a small army to feed, a party to host, or a lot of storage in your house, you can really stock up. The frozen foods section at Sam's offers many varieties of appetizers, snacks and full meal items. Now we have two Sam's to shop at - one on Ohio north of Hedgcoxe (off Preston) and another on Spring Creek, west of 75 - across from Garden Ridge.
Outlet Shopping - Right up 75, just south of McKinney, is a new shopping center of outlet stores. For any of you who are into big designer names, check it out. I did not find any particular bargains there. There is one kitchen store that happens to sell items that are normally "only" sold on TV infomercials.