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| Uptown Lenoir, NC has added many new retail locations. |
I was soon ready to depart for work when I went to place my work shoes upon my feet. These poor shoes. As I manipulated the leather and tugged at the separating rubber, I had to face the truth. I needed new shoes. One thing my friends and family know about myself is that I'm a pretty frugal. I take pride in making things last. This pair of Bass leather shoes has adorned my feet for the better part of twelve years and only now have they succumbed to the reality of things. That all new things become old and have to be replaced.
Lunch time came about at work and I decided to drive over to Burlington Shoe's on 421 to see what offerings they might have for my suddenly needy feet. The first thing I noticed was the wonderful smell of the store. It should come as no surprise that the store smelt of new shoe. And what a wonderful smell that is. Second only to the new car smell and the smell of pizza being cooked in the oven.
I walked up and down the isle and was meticulously judgmental over each pair I tried on. Some of the shoes were adequate but none of them were worthy of adorning my man toes. You see, what most people don't understand is that just like a happy wife makes a happy home. Happy feet make a happy man. Some of you will know what I speak of. I can't remember a day where I put on a new pair of fresh, never before worn socks and I didn't have a good day.
But then something hit me. A thought crossed my mind that perhaps I was in the wrong location. That I had walked into an establishment to buy something just because they were there; not because they had earned my business. I put the shoes down. The company that earns my business needs to have a soul. Pun intended. So yeah, I walked out without new shoes.
Shopping at these big box stores and even shopping online is just getting old. There's something inherently artificial about it. But when you walk into a main street local establishment, you can really feel the difference. These locations might not have the best prices. But they have character, the same faces from day to day and a history. And for perhaps just a few dollars more, you can gain something much more valuable; a sense of community. Hey, we all know that all things can't be found locally but many items can. So next time you're needing a new garment, a pair of shoes or a birthday gift for a friend or relative, check out your local Main St. I promise, the shopping experience will be much more rewarding.
Update: For some odd reason, before I posted this, I got three compliments on my old shoes I'm still wearing. The universe knows.......
But then something hit me. A thought crossed my mind that perhaps I was in the wrong location. That I had walked into an establishment to buy something just because they were there; not because they had earned my business. I put the shoes down. The company that earns my business needs to have a soul. Pun intended. So yeah, I walked out without new shoes.
Shopping at these big box stores and even shopping online is just getting old. There's something inherently artificial about it. But when you walk into a main street local establishment, you can really feel the difference. These locations might not have the best prices. But they have character, the same faces from day to day and a history. And for perhaps just a few dollars more, you can gain something much more valuable; a sense of community. Hey, we all know that all things can't be found locally but many items can. So next time you're needing a new garment, a pair of shoes or a birthday gift for a friend or relative, check out your local Main St. I promise, the shopping experience will be much more rewarding.
Update: For some odd reason, before I posted this, I got three compliments on my old shoes I'm still wearing. The universe knows.......
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