Shopping in Memphis: From a confessed shop-a-holic!
Written: Nov 23 '01 (Updated Nov 23 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great shopping at Wolfchase Galleria, Saddle Creek Shopping Center and Oak Court
Cons: Some of the older shopping areas are started to get abandoned
The Bottom Line: Memphis offers some good shopping, from high-end malls and shopping centers, to discount stores, club discount warehouses. The shopping is good in Memphis -- check it out!
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| diverpam's Full Review: Memphis |
Memphis has many good places to help you part with your hard-earned money, especially during the holiday shopping season. If you're a shop-a-holic like me, you can put some of these on your list of places that you must visit or must avoid, depending upon your perspective and your checkbook.
Wolfchase Galleria Mall
Wolfchase Galleria will beckon tourists from Interstate-40 and lure them from their destinations. This large, two-story mall lies next to the Germantown Road Exit. One minute you're speeding your way to Nashville or Little Rock, the next you find yourself looking up inside the soaring interior of Memphis' newest and finest shopping area.
There are several well-known anchor stores: Dillard's, Goldsmith's, Sears and J.C. Penney. There are also several upscale stores, many of which are one of a kind in Memphis. You can stroll through Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Godiva Chocolatier, Gymboree, Laura Ashley, Museum Company, Pottery Barn, The Body Shop, and Victoria's Secret. There are also several jewelry stores, a music store, book store, camera store, hair salons, shoe stores, as well as gift and card stores in this beautifully designed mall. You name it, they probably have it here.
Still can't find that perfect gift? Wolfchase offers gift certificates, as well.
Other Features
There is also a beautiful carousel located at the east entrance, situated between the Malco Cinema, American Cafe, and Johnny Rockets.
You'll find several different cuisines represented in the large open food court. The smell of freshly-baked pretzels will caress you as you find your way to the Disney Store, filled with glittering delights for the child in each of us.
Christmas Fantasy
Between now and January 15, 2002, you will find the world's largest gingerbread house -- a two-story concoction that has been weeks in the making.
Stand in line with the kiddies for pictures, or sneak your own shot from the second floor railing of the Galleria. The Kroger St. Jude Gingerbread House is located in the mall's Center Court.
Normal Mall Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 10am - 9pm
Sunday - Noon - 6pm
Find out more about the ultimate Memphis shopping experience by visiting their website:
http://www.wolfchasegalleria.com/
Other Noteworthy Shopping Areas
Saddlecreek Shopping Center in Germantown is a few miles south of Wolfchase. You'll find less of the hustle and bustle and decidedly fewer children in this upscale shopping area. Choose from The Gap, Sharper Image, Anne Taylor, Bombay Company, Crabtree & Evelyn, Williams-Sonoma, Eddie Bauer Home, and Talbot's to name a few of the fine merchants located in this shopping center. Saddlecreek Shopping Center is actually located in two areas -- one north and one south of Poplar Avenue at Germantown Road.
In addition to these shops, you'll find Bosco's Pizza & Microbrewery, where a scene was filmed for The Firm. There's a small engraved plaque on the booth where Tom Cruise sat during the film. There is also Yia Yia's Restaurant, one of my favorites.
Oak Court Mall, a few miles east of Saddlecreek on Poplar Avenue in East Memphis, is a fairly small mall with some nice shopping. Anchored by Goldsmith's on the East and Dillard's on the West. You're sure to find something to carry home as you browse through this mall's two stories of shops. There are enclosed parking garages on either end.
Attention Bargain Hunters
Tuesday Morning offers unique seasonal and gift items. You'll find one located off Germantown Parkway a couple of miles south of Wolfchase.
There are also several locations of T.J. Maxx, SteinMart, and Marshall's throughout the Memphis area -- I've found these stores to be wonderful places to buy clothes for my grandchildren -- especially when they have sales. I love getting an extra cut on the already discounted prices.
Warehouse Shopping
No shopping trip for me would be complete without a trip to Costco or Sam's Club. There is a Costco just south of Wolfchase and a Sam's Club, just north. There are also locations of both clubs on Winchester Road, near Hacks Cross. Be sure to bring your membership card. Not only can you find great bargains on appliances, electronics, clothes, and food, they always have the cheapest gas prices in town.
I Used to Like these Places, But They've Gone Downhill
The Mall of Memphis
Long past its glory days, this mall is being abandoned by its largest, long-term tenants -- Dillard's and J.C. Penney. Unfortunately, there's not much left in this mall except the ice skating rink. I have spend thousands of dollars in this mall during lunch over the past several years. (My office used to be located nearby.) It's actually pretty sad there now -- I went back a few weeks ago to the Dillard's and Penney's closing sales.
Belz Factory Outlet Mall
If you're a fanatic for outlet malls, you might want to give it a shot, but I've long since stopped going there. Too many vacant storefronts and too few bargains exist to lure me there any more.
It is very conveniently located off I-40 at the Canada Road Exit, so if you need to stretch your legs after a long ride, it couldn't hurt to stop. There are public rest rooms easily accessible in the middle part of the mall.
Conclusion
You can easily spend a day or an entire weekend shopping in Memphis. I couldn't begin to cover it all in our review, but I hope this information will help get you started when you visit Memphis. Please let me know if you have any questions.
In case you're wondering why I'm writing this instead of shopping on the day after Thanksgiving, my husband decided to take the day off work today, too. He's keeping a close eye on me!
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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diverpam
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Member: Pam
Location: Collierville, TN
Reviews written: 263
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About Me:
~~~~So many oceans...so little time!~~~~
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