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An Ode To The Black Women At Dillard’s
When clipping coupons and finding deals is more than just saving money
Mall visits used to feel like a miniature Christmas every weekend. A chance to flip through the CDs at an FYE or squeeze in a few games at the arcade. Now, so many malls are fascinating relics representing a long gone time of weekend frivolity, excess and Sbarro pizzas; a time capsule for what it was like when we had to leave our homes to get what we want. I’m somewhat of an anomaly as I often feel like the last millennial alive who still frequents malls in search of the best sales. I was taught by my mother how to find the best price so I’m usually alone, absorbing quizzical glances from clerks and shoppers unused to the image of a 6’4” black dad by himself in the children’s section comparing online prices, pulling out coupons from apps or scouring the clearance racks. I love the experience of grabbing the best prices and the serenity of knowing I’m not spending a single penny more than I have to.
But my love for malls is deeper than that. I just didn’t realize how deep until a trip I took a few weeks ago.
I’d found myself in dire need of slacks, so I headed to a Belk department store to buy some dress pants — two pairs of Ralph Lauren slacks to be exact. They were marked down to $29.99 from $89.99 so I’d hit…
