Does Austin have good shopping? (Houston, Dallas: sales, home, to buy) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

sinking · 10-13-2010, 12:20 PM

Honestly, I don't even know what it means for a city to have good shopping, but I see it as a criteria in many posts. I rarely buy anything in brick and mortar stores because I like to take the time to research and compare specifications and prices online.

Does Austin have good shopping?
What does it mean to have good shopping?
What is an example of a city or area that does have good shopping?

eepstein · 10-13-2010, 02:09 PM

If you are coming from Waco, San Angelo, or Lufkin, then I guess Austin has good shopping! An example of a city with great shopping? In a word, DALLAS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinking

Honestly, I don't even know what it means for a city to have good shopping, but I see it as a criteria in many posts. I rarely buy anything in brick and mortar stores because I like to take the time to research and compare specifications and prices online.

Does Austin have good shopping?
What does it mean to have good shopping?
What is an example of a city or area that does have good shopping?

hoffdano · 10-13-2010, 02:57 PM

I often wonder what people mean when they ask about shopping. Do they want a gigantic mall? Nifty cool home grown stores with bohemian merchandise? Lots of outlet stores? Or high-end fashion with luxury goods?

When I lived in Houston I used to be amazed by the Galleria area. Although I rarely bought anything at Nieman Marcus it was kinda fun to walk through it.

I no longer enjoy shopping. I can't think of many worse things to do than walk around stores (of any type) thinking about what to spend my money on.

Haven't lived here since 1984 I think Austin shopping has evolved much like it has elsewhere. Fewer general purpose malls, a push for "local" retail, many big box stores, and concentrations of high end retail, some new.

If you want a $1000 purse, it won't be hard to find at The Domain or other luxury stores. If you want western wear or boots, you can find that at Allens Boots or Callahan General Store. If you want to buy/order LP records, you can do that at Waterloo Records. If you need an obscure piece of produce, Central Market probably has it. We have very good wine/liquor/beer stores (Specs and Twin Liquors). Mid-luxury clothing? Nordstrom. High end kitchen stuff - Breed and Co. (local) or a Williams Sonoma. Wanna buy an Aston Martin? We have Austin Aston Martin.

Austin doesn't have as much as Dallas or Houston. But we are 1/4 or 1/5 of their size so no one should expect Austin to have the same shopping as those two cities.

Nomadic9460678748 · 10-13-2010, 03:09 PM

In my view, if one has access to the internet, they have "good shopping".

atxcio · 10-13-2010, 03:13 PM

We have a Fry's, but just one. Same with Ikea. A couple each of Apple Stores and REIs, and a bunch of local stuff. That's pretty much all I care about.

However, there is all the typical mall stuff (indoor and outdoor), and big box that you'd find in most cities.

Dallas and Houston will have much more, but shopping is a much bigger pastime in those cities. I guess it's considered entertainment for them.

hoffdano · 10-13-2010, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomadic9460678748

In my view, if one has access to the internet, they have "good shopping".

I think I buy more through Amazon than I do in B&M stores. This would be true no matter where I lived.

Jennibc · 10-13-2010, 04:01 PM

I've always kind of wondered what it meant to. Typically, I don't like to shop, but I do LOVE Coscto (so as long as there is one in town, that's good shopping as far as I'm concerned. Wait, we don't have a Trader Joe's so I guess we are still deficient

)

lemonlime22 · 10-13-2010, 04:04 PM

It's better now than it was 15 years ago, but in general we have far fewer choices than most.

An example some of us have bemoaned on this site before is the lack of a Home Goods (owned by TJ Maxx/Marshall's) which is a great store. We just got the Marshall's a couple years ago.

Plus, we get the smaller versions of everything. Sort of the "ette" versions of the full sized stores other cities have. Like a Nortdstromette. Fewer skus--fewer choices.

I think our outlet malls (San Marcoes & RR) are actually better than most.

lemonlime22 · 10-13-2010, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemonlime22

It's better now than it was 15 years ago, but in general we have far fewer choices than most.

An example some of us have bemoaned on this site before is the lack of a Home Goods (owned by TJ Maxx/Marshall's) which is a great store. We just got the Marshall's a couple years ago.

Plus, we get the smaller versions of everything. Sort of the "ette" versions of the full sized stores other cities have. Like a Nortdstromette. Fewer skus--fewer choices.

I think our outlet malls (San Marcoes & RR) are actually better than most.

Update: We're getting a Home Goods in Sunset Valley on Oct. 24!

Creedmoor_Mom · 10-13-2010, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinking

Honestly, I don't even know what it means for a city to have good shopping, but I see it as a criteria in many posts. I rarely buy anything in brick and mortar stores because I like to take the time to research and compare specifications and prices online.

Does Austin have good shopping?
What does it mean to have good shopping?
What is an example of a city or area that does have good shopping?

Does Austin have good shopping? Yes & No, as a city overall I'd say no but certain areas of town do ... for now.

What does it mean to have good shopping? To me, at number one on the list: that means easy access in & out, even during high traffic times. The stores must maintain a decent level of inventory on hand. The sales assistants must be polite, courteous, knowledgeable about the product(s) they're trying to get me to buy, & treat me like I'm their only customer of the day. The stores & surrounding area outside of the store should be neat & clean & not too cluttered (unless going to a resale shop!

). I also think that similar stores should be grouped together. Why would I want to traipse from one end of the shopping center (mall, or whatever) just to compare prices ... makes me tired & cranky & want to leave!

What is an example of a city or area that does have good shopping? I've been somewhat impressed by the Southpark Meadows center, but traffic is getting worse the more popular it becomes. The outlet malls in San Marcos & RR are over crowded & over hyped.

I too mainly shop online, but theare are somethings that I want/need that I just don't want to wait for & so will brave the crowded stores! LOL!

Does this adequately answer your questions?