Who would have thought that there would be so many shopping choices in Richmond? With several large malls to shop at with all the brand names - The Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Mexx, Tommy, Coast Mountain, Sears, The Bay, Winners, Future Shop, Best Buy, HomeSense and many other unique retailers. So much many shops to explore for clothes, acessories, electronics, home decor and anything else that you might be searching for.
My procrastination over Christmas shopping finally caught up to me, I was leaving for mom's in Victoria for the holidays on Saturday, December 23rd, only 2 days away! So, I had no choice but to go forth and shop! I, who love to shop, found the thought of Christmas shopping this year too overwhelming. I just didn't want to deal with the task of finding parking and paying an arm and a leg to park. Then dealing with the crowds. But Christmas shop, I must!
I took Thursday off work to shop. Instead of heading downtown or out to Burnaby and the megaplex, I went south into Richmond. First stop, Lansdowne Mall. Shopping list in hand, off I went to Future Shop and Best Buy. I was in the hunt for a few cds, web camera, memory stick and a dvd player. An hour later, I had what I needed and even had time to check out Winners and HomeSense for some new Christmas decorations.
Second stop, was Richmond Centre, needed to find something nice for mom and the cousins! Parking was a bit more challenging but I was parked within 10 minutes. After hitting Coast Mountain Sports, the Gap and the Bay, I had the boy cousins' gifts done and 3 new pairs of work dress pants for me. Got a couple of great deals on items - 50% off! However, I was still in the hunt for mom's gift when I spotted out of the corner or my eye a lovely lavender cashmere cardigan - perfect! 80% off! Wow! Now would they have my mom's size? Fingers crossed - success!
Next stop, Chapters and Starbucks! The Blue List 2007 by Lonely Planet and a vanilla latte break for me - decaf! After checking my list, I found that I was more than half done and it wasn't even lunch time yet!
With renewed determination and energy, I set off to Aberdeen Centre to find gifts for friends and the girl cousins and then for a bit of dim sum lunch. I had only been to Aberdeen for dim sum previously but had wanted to come back to check out some of the stores - Daiso and Smart Living Design Furniture. A couple of jade bracelets and home accessories later I was able to check off another 2/3 of my list.
Next stop was Ikea - yep, a risky endeavour but it had to be done! I needed to get a couple of picture frames and kitchen gifts - so in and out was my thought! Parking was not as easy but I did manage to find a spot at the back after circling the lot a few times. I was good and by-passed the showcase centre and went straight to the Market Place. Got what I needed and was in the cash line and out within a 1/2 hour. Checked my list and found that I was DONE! 6 hours from start to finsh, including a coffee break and lunch! Not bad! I'm going to shop out in Richmond more often in the future!
Come and explore for yourself the great shops and free parking is a bonus!
http://www.aberdeencentre.com/en/index.php
http://www.richmondcentre.ca/home/index.ch2