At times I fear I may lack significant chunks of my X
chromosome. I seem to lack, for example, the part that makes
needful more than five pairs of shoes (black low heels, sandals,
clogs, walking shoes, and hiking boots.)
At times I fear I may lack significant chunks of my X chromosome. I seem to lack, for example, the part that makes needful more than five pairs of shoes (black low heels, sandals, clogs, walking shoes, and hiking boots.)
I also seem to lack the home decorating gene: our house is furnished in Early Garage Sale, liberally festooned with children’s art. But most particularly, I seem to lack the shopping gene.
This lack has been distressingly evident to me since the arrival of the new stores east of the freeway. Ever since Costco opened, I have read it in the paper; I have heard it from my women friends: “Have you been to the new Costco?” “Isn’t it great to have a Target of our own?” “Can you believe we have a Pier One?” “I took the kids to the Cold Stone Creamery.”
Even the men enthuse, although about a different set of stores: “the Best Buy'” “the Bev-Mo'” “an Applebee’s'” and “the Home Depot.”
My private term for such stores is “stores with an article'” or “article-ized stores.” Sometimes the speaker uses the definite article, the: “THE new Starbucks has a drive-through.” Other times she uses the indefinite article, a or an: “I am so happy to have A Barnes and Noble in town.”
The use of the article, definite or indefinite, points up a sad truth: THE Hometown Buffet, the one spoken of, may exist in Gilroy, but it is indistinguishable from A Hometown Buffet anywhere else in America.
Call me provincial, but when I am forced to go shopping, I prefer to shop either downtown, or at a locally owned and operated establishment.
Sometimes it is not possible. There is no local stationery store in Gilroy. Ever since THE McWhorter’s went bankrupt, we have had a choice between A Staples and AN Office Max … and a difference that makes no difference is no difference.
But there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy unique dining and shopping experiences, if one can break away from the article mentality.
When it’s my birthday, and I get to choose where to eat, we go to Old City Hall for the ultimate in elegant and gourmet dining, or Tasso’s Old House on First Street for the best margaritas in town and the best Greek food money can buy, or the Longhouse: a little short on ambience, but very long on flavor.
If the kids want pizza, we go to Pinocchio’s number 2, for the best New York style pizza west of the Mississippi. (While we wait for our pizza, we chat with the proprietors about kids, because their kids are the same ages as ours.)
If the family wants Chinese, we go to China Palace near 10th and Chestnut. They have re-opened after a devastating kitchen fire. Their 18-year-old son waited tables all summer to make his college tuition.
If I need a wedding present, I check out Clocks and Collectables, 4th and Monterey, where Randy and Larry can also fix grandpa’s heirloom watch. If I need a gift for a kid’s birthday party, I make a fast phone call to the kid’s mom for permission, then head over to Saccullo’s Discount Surplus for a lock-back pocket knife or a throwing knife or a camouflage jacket.
My editor, who knows about such things, tells me that local businesses give back tremendously to the community. I can see that it is so: they support soccer and Little League teams, they belong to the Chamber.
But what is important to me is that these people are my friends and neighbors. Moreover, although I cannot open a toy store, or an art supply store, or a stationery store downtown, I can contribute to the growth of a vibrant, beautiful downtown by patronizing the stores that are already there. If they flourish, more will come.
Besides, even someone like me, totally devoid of the shopping gene, can enjoy talking with Dave and poking around the sheet music in Porcella’s. And just down the street at Garlic City Coffee and Tea, Karen starts my cappuccino as soon as I enter the door.
