Columbia Heights Shopping Culture.

Last night and friend and I ventured into the new Target in Columbia Heights.

Sure, many people have been to a Target, but not many people have been to a Target in Columbia Heights, a confluence of the affluent and the poor, the highly educated and the barely educated, the patient and the entitled.

If nothing else, it is a well laid out store. It is on two floors and is fairly well organized and has so many things to purchase. Although, it is strange to me that this Target has so many grocery items, I suppose that the supermarches of the UK and Europe are already here in many senses. It just seems like cities--such as the district--are hold outs.

I especially enjoyed watching the "confabulous fabtraption"* that carries shopping carts (or trolleys depending on where you're located) to the second floor.

The place will also be a nexus of people speaking and spending several different languages, coming from all parts of the globe, and all wanting to find fine (or good enough) things for their household in this store.

I'm sure that on busy days, this store will be a nightmare, but last night, with a good sized crowd and all of the check lanes moving quickly and efficiently, I think that it will be a good place to pick up things to keep that tiny apartment of mine, neat and clean.

I know that there are many more ominous things that I could say about the shopping center--about what it represents, about its effect on the cityscape, about the 'types' of stores occupying the spaces.

But for now, I shall tout its organization, cleanliness and fantastic service at the checkout. The young man who assisted me was very helpful and nice. I'll be sure to get into his line again.

*10 points to the person who knows where that comes from.