"experience" shopping

sara and i spent the day in williamsburg, va with her mom and sister yesterday. this was one of our destinations, after the Pottery, Yankee Candle. the store was THREE buildings of candle experience. the main hall had clouds painted on the ceiling and mechanical bears singing on a balcony every 15 minutes or so. even for a person who can't smell, i was overwhelmed. there was a regular store (with amazing visual standards...not one tart out of place) then other stores within the same building. there was a toy store, a home store and even a build-a-bearlike store. there was also a christmas decoration store (what?! in williamsburg?!) that had pinpoint lights in the ceiling for stars and IT ACTUALLY SNOWED!!!!! nice.


my favorite part was the candle dipping station, which of course, i HAD to do. good times.

this is the wave of the retail future. this is how companies are trying to compete with internet shopping. if you have "activities" or "experiences" in a store, then you are bound to spend your time and gas money to make the trip. i will have to visit the Yankee Candle in the 'burg again. very very impressive.