Christmas is in the Air! Let it Rain, Let it Rain!!



People may say the economy is still in a recession, but you sure could not tell from the crowds you see around here in St. Louis. Last weekend we went to the County Library on Lindbergh and thought we would afterwards cross Lindbergh to Plaza Frontenac to see if they had the gingerbread house display there. We thought "it's Plaza Frontenac -- nobody really SHOPS there!" But we went over last Saturday afternoon and the entire lot was jam packed. The garage underneath had a "Lot Full" sign on it, and we had to wait for a spot in the back lot. When we went in we were saddened to see the gingerbread house display was already gone, but the mall was actually quite busy and patrons were actually carrying filled shopping bags. There was a long line for children to take their pictures with Santa, and even a piano recital in progress. Plaza Frontenac was a popular place! Who is buying anything there?

On Monday and Tuesday of this week I walked through the outside St. Louis Galleria parking lot on my walk from the Richmond Heights Metrolink station, and on both days that lot was also completely packed at around 4:30pm. It was late afternoon on two working days and there people having to wait for spots in the lot. I did not think the Galleria was doing all that well as a mall, but there were definitely plenty of people leaving with shopping bags full of something. There are always those last minute shoppers around to help boost the economy!

The last thing to mention is the popularity of Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park that continues to back up southbound McKnight Road every evening. I could expect it on Sunday night, but even last night at 8:30pm, the line was backed up all the way to the highway. Are there really that many people willing to spend $9 a car to drive through a mile of lights in a park? Especially on a Tuesday night? In reality $9 per car is not that much, especially if you have visiting relatives in your house who are driving you crazy. But I would have expected the display to be more popular Dec 26 through 30 when people are looking for something to do with out of town visitors over the break. ("Hey, Uncle Bob, instead of telling us that same story again, and spilling more coffee on my carpet, why don't we go see the lights at Tilles Park?") Yes, Christmas is coming soon, even if it will be a rainy, not so white Christmas here in St. Louis.

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