Black Friday in the dark
By Mel Fabrikant Saturday, November 24, 2007, 02:46 PM EST
Even living in the shadow of the Westfield Garden State Plaza shopping center wasn't enough to entice this octogenarian to get up at dawn and walk to the mall. From the buzz of a helicopter circling the parking areas and the view of a multitude of vehicle lights, one could tell that it was going to be a maelstrom. Besides, I had to visit that evening to attend a live performance at Borders.
From my viewpoint, one could see that the parking lots were straining to capacity and that there was a steady stream of cars, SUVs, trucks and busses entering and leaving the shopping center. This continued all day long.
At 6 PM, braving the 36 degree temperature, I walked over to the busy area and entered the warmth of the building. Ah, the wisdom of indoor malls. The walkways were busy, crowded with shoppers and window gazers as well as a large assortment of teenagers. At that time of the evening, most of the food vendors were busy. The double decker carousal was doing a round up business.
I stopped over at Auntie Anne's Pretzels to greet my friends, the Chans. Wendy spotted me and took time out to come over to the front counter and say hello. Newcomers to the WGSP, I was curious to see how they had fared during the day. Wendy responded with a broad smile and said that she and Steven, her husband were satisfied. Always the perfect hostess, Wendy offered me a pretzel and a drink. Some of you pretzel lovers may groan, but I refused her generous offer. Regretfully, I might add, but I had other business which to attend.
Walking through the south area, one had to carefully avoid bumping into a shopper laden with bags and purchases. Lines were prevalent at the kiosks as well as the stores; the eating area was jammed, hardly a vacant table to be had.
On the way home at 7:30, the valet parking was still filled and once again an even flow of vehicles in each direction.
From my viewpoint, one could see that the parking lots were straining to capacity and that there was a steady stream of cars, SUVs, trucks and busses entering and leaving the shopping center. This continued all day long.
At 6 PM, braving the 36 degree temperature, I walked over to the busy area and entered the warmth of the building. Ah, the wisdom of indoor malls. The walkways were busy, crowded with shoppers and window gazers as well as a large assortment of teenagers. At that time of the evening, most of the food vendors were busy. The double decker carousal was doing a round up business.
I stopped over at Auntie Anne's Pretzels to greet my friends, the Chans. Wendy spotted me and took time out to come over to the front counter and say hello. Newcomers to the WGSP, I was curious to see how they had fared during the day. Wendy responded with a broad smile and said that she and Steven, her husband were satisfied. Always the perfect hostess, Wendy offered me a pretzel and a drink. Some of you pretzel lovers may groan, but I refused her generous offer. Regretfully, I might add, but I had other business which to attend.
Walking through the south area, one had to carefully avoid bumping into a shopper laden with bags and purchases. Lines were prevalent at the kiosks as well as the stores; the eating area was jammed, hardly a vacant table to be had.
On the way home at 7:30, the valet parking was still filled and once again an even flow of vehicles in each direction.
