Citizenrobot pointed me toward a short little article posted today on latimes about big-name, upscale chains coming up in the 909.
It's true, kids! There's a lot of money out here and the median income is going UP. Just the other weekend I finally had a chance to see Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga with my own eyes!
It's quite remarkable. I like to think of it as the retail jewel of the Inland Empire. Sure, Cabazon is king when it comes to outlet shopping (with honorable mentions to Lake Elsinore), but this is quality retail; the store lineup reads like the best of the best of Los Angeles with more stores being added to the roster CONSTANTLY and many recognizable restaurants a notch above the usual suburban Olive Garden/Red Lobster. Try the Yardhouse (as I did), or P.F. Chang's, King's Fish House. Hell, they even have a Kabuki and a PINKBERRY. Just imagine it: a Pinkberry in the 909? I never thought I'd see the day. Oenophiles, I saw a wine bar going up next to a not-yet-opened Puma store. L'Occitane, Apple Store...an Anthropologie AND an Urban Outfitters on the same site? Unheard of!
Why go to the Mills in Ontario when VG is just miles away? The Galleria at Tyler, The Redlands Mall, the Inland Center, The Carousel (The Carousel shouldn't even be considered a mall. It's a time warp. I've gone running, screaming in terror, to the parking lot from inside. Literally. It's just that bad.)--None of them can even touch VG. You don't believe me, check out this overwhelming PDF map. Print it. Just go.
This afternoon I sat next to a bus-friend on my commute home. A nice Filipino American lady. She just happened to mention that she fit a trip to VG in over her 3-day President's weekend. She seemed shocked when I said that I'd only recently gone on my first and only trip. "Ann Taylor Loft," she said, "and Pottery Barn." But they have both of those in Brea and Brea is RIGHT THERE. "But I like to walk around outside."
VG feels like you are walking around a small, well-decorated town that just happens to be very clean and has all your favorite stores. Cars drive by as you take a leisurely stroll and there are even little street names and crosswalks. There is metered parking and hidden, free parking spaces throughout. It's big, so wear good shoes. It's so big that even when you get the sense that there are a lot of people, you never feel crowded. There are ashtrays everywhere but I saw no one smoking--amazing for the 909. Family-friendly. Stroller-friendly. I don't know if it's just me, but I like Inland Empire people better than L.A. people--much, much nicer and friendlier. I got helpful service at the Sprint store and the best service ever at the Sephora. I've been to a lot of Sephoras, this one was the best.
I'm not saying L.A. people should make the trek. But if you live out in this direction, it sure beats trying to put something together at Gottschalks.
Since 2006
9 comments:
Pinkberry...woohoo~! I need sleep.
It's too bad you can't convey the same emotion and cute, funny accent your friend had... That makes it even better!!!
OMG. Can I tell you a funny IE person story? Beef and I were on the tail end of our west coast road trip when we stopped in Ukiah (U-what? right?) for the night. We ate really BAD lasagna (the server said, "It's REALLY good," when I asked her how their lasagna was) that looked like two pieces of flat pasta, chef boyardee tomato sauce and a slice of melted pre-sliced mozarella. Anyway, I digress.
So, we went to a liquor store to get some booze and ice cream and when the clerk looked at Seth's ID, he was like..."Eh! LONG BEACH!" and we were like "Heh, well actually, we're in San Pedro," and he goes "951 BABY!" and throws his hands up like he's gangsta. We were like.. "haha...err.. thanks man," and when we got outside, Seth goes, "Where's 951 again?" and I said, "The IE, BABY!" Rad.
Ah yeah. My friend from the bus has the best accent.
@joyce...Good job incorporating Beef into the story, but I'm confused. The guy lives in Ukiah (not the IE) represents LBC (not the IE) then mistakes San Pedro (not the IE) for Riverside?
Just checking!
nah, i think he was like trying to show us he isn't from ukiah and that he knows so cal... and then the "951 baby!" was him representing the ie.
it was just funny!
Yeah, I didn't want to claim him, but he sounds like one of ours...
:(
heh heh... one of the ie's finest.....
hi audrey! i told cari this story this morning, but i think you would appreciate it too (sorry for using your blog as a message board right now cari!): this weekend my sister and her bf were at pinkberry on the westside, right around closing time, and in walks masi oka. only, no one recognized him except my sister's bf. so when masi proceeded to try order, the pinkberry staff refused to serve him, saying they were closed.
poor masi.
I know I told L.A. people to stay out west, but maybe Masi should try Rancho Cucamonga. He'd probably get a lot of love out where there is nothing to do but meth and watch loads of television (and I guess, now shopping/eating). He'll get recognized like crazy.
The 909 is stepping it up....Gotta keep up with the OC Jones'.
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