Just the other day I was shopping in a very large mall. It was on a Saturday around 11:30 am. Years ago that used to be prime time for shopping. One of my first jobs back in 1970 was in a large mall and I never could get Saturday off because it was such a busy day. I was in Beaver Valley Mall, and it was actually very sad. I started to take a picture and post it, but I changed my mind. I actually felt sorry for the mall. JC Penny used to be an anchor in that mall, and they are now closed. I was having a conversation with a friend about the demise of brick-and-mortar stores and what has attributed to it and we both agreed that online shopping is the culprit. Let me give you an example of why I say this. I used to enjoy shopping at the Staples in Fox Chapel. It was easy to get to and there were other stores nearby that I liked to visit. That Staples has now closed. I used to go there for ink for my printer and other supplies for my business. They suggested that I shop at the East Liberty store. That store is really not that far from me, but the traffic patterns are different, and I always talk myself out of going there. So, my solution was to get the items that I need online. On September 29 I ordered some packing supplies It was after 3 pm in the afternoon when I ordered them. At 7am on September 30th, I happened to open the front door to see if the garbage men had arrived and my package from Amazon was on the porch. I was amazed. I didn’t have to get dressed, leave the house and look for a parking place. This is why no one is going to the mall. The convenience is amazing, and I hate to admit that I love it. What do you think? Brick and mortar or online? Let us know.
Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com
Click Here to View All “Lifestyles with Debbie Norrell” Articles
