Saks 5th Avenue Opens in Toronto – HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT!

Go out all day looking fabulous and I see no one I know. Go out for 5 minutes looking like crap and it’s all of a sudden a damn reunion.

Unknown

I’d been looking forward to Thursday, February 18^th with great excitement – the opening of Saks 5^th Avenue in the Bay on Queen. I’m a big fan of Saks and rarely have I been in a Saks store without making a donation. There’s always something wonderful to buy. I arranged to meet my friend Diane after work for what was to be a wonderful shopping experience. And, in anticipation of some terrific grand opening specials, my Bay card was prepared for a work out!

As soon as I walked into the Bay I was immediately confused. There is virtually no separation between the Bay and Saks. The first, second and third floors are divided in half and shared by both stores. There are no doors or separators, just staff who say either Welcome to the Bay or Welcome to Saks. I wonder if they're going to have staff permanently stationed at the crossover points.

When the Bay said that they were bringing Saks to Toronto, I expected an authentic Saks store. Instead what they did was bring Saks Haute Couture to Toronto. If you want a great selection of Haute Couture, then this version of Saks will no doubt delight you. But, if you’re in the market for real people clothes at real people prices, then don’t even waste your time looking. The shoe department is the same – haute couture exclusively; although I did find a pair of plastic flip flops (like the ones at Joe Fresh for $5.99) in the $200 dollar range. I passed on the flip flops.

My disappointment was palpable! In addition to providing me with 3 half floors or merchandise that I wouldn’t even purchase at 90% off, I’ve now lost 3 half floors of Bay Store space with merchandise that I could afford. In short, I’m mega-pissed off! The only funny part of the excursion was when we asked where the washrooms were, they sent us back to the Bay part of the store. Apparently people who buy Haute Couture don’t pee.

I could give up shopping but I’m not a quitter.

Unknown

Make someone smile today.

Geri

Since When Does Christmas Start on November 1st?

Once again, we come to the Holiday Season, a deeply religious time that each of us observes, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice.
Dave Barry

I don’t know about you, but Christmas seems to start earlier every year. This year I was in shock when the day after Halloween my friend Janice and I were out engaging in some retail therapy in Kingston and almost every store we walked into was completed decorated for Christmas. Did the elves appear at the stroke of midnight on November 1^st and spend the entire night removing all traces of Halloween and getting out the full Christmas regalia? Wasn’t there a time when the Christmas spirit didn’t begin until December 1^st? Or at least until after U.S. Thanksgiving and Black Friday?

I’m not doing the Bah Humbug thing! And, it has nothing to do with being Jewish, although I’m quite delighted that I don’t have to run around like a mad woman buying gifts for everyone I know and going broke in the process. I enjoy seeing Christmas decorations in the neighbourhoods and the CN Tower lit up like the mother of all candy canes. The Bay on Queen and other downtown stores do spectacular windows. All of this is lovely and festive, but not on November 1^st. Let’s be realistic; how many times can you listen to “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer” without wanting to gag? I understand that Christmas is a big retail season and that the stores want to maximize its potential, but I’d like to at least have my winter tires on before I’m surrounded by Christmas.

The Supreme Court has ruled that they cannot have a nativity scene in Washington, D.C. This wasn't for any religious reasons. They couldn't find three wise men and a virgin.

Jay Leno

Make someone smile today.

Geri