Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
11
Vegas Shopping
(Such As It Is)
Though it's extensive, it's not terribly
varied or unique
by Kate Silver
I
NEVER DREADED CHRISTMAS SHOPPING UNTIL I MOVED TO LAS VEGAS
.
It's not that this town doesn't have stores; it does, dozens upon dozens of them (as
the town's PR hacks proclaim with glee). Problem is, they're the same sorts of
stores you'll find everywhere else. Vegas primarily consists of chains, franchises,
and corporate domination in all aspects of its existence, and shopping is no dif-
ferent. But what do you expect from a city where, year after year in local “Best of ”
surveys, Taco Bell wins best Mexican food and The Olive Garden wins best
Italian? In shopping, Las Vegas caters to the median.
The malls distract us from their uniformity and high prices by throwing in the
bells and whistles that this town of illusions is known for—giant Roman statues,
boat rides, animatronic figures, painted blue skies, and the ever-present ash trays for
smokers. Then they replace words like shopping “mall” with shopping “destination”
and label the city a “shopping Mecca.”
But that doesn't help locals like me or visitors looking for more unique goods.
I've resorted to doing my Christmas shopping online, looking for gifts that my
family (who are spread out across the country), can't just go around the corner and
buy for themselves. And buy for themselves more cheaply than I can get it here:
Because retail rents are so high, you generally will pay more for the same goods in
Las Vegas than elsewhere. The exception may be the outlet malls; and the odd,
distinctly Vegas shops where items from feather boas to wigs to gambling stuff are
for sale. I'll discuss these sorts of stores as well as the malls and strip malls, for
those of you who will excuse the high prices in the name of convenience. Unless
indicated, you can expect the stores and malls to accept most major credit cards.
MALLS ON THE STRIP
As this is where you'll likely be looking to spend your cash, I'll discuss malls on
the Strip first, moving next to discount outlets and off-Strip malls. At the end of
this chapter, you'll find information on the only-in-Vegas stores where you can
buy wigs, feathers, and commemorative chips galore.
SOUTH STRIP
Mandalay Place
55
(at Mandalay Bay;
%
877/632-7800 or 702/632-7777;
www.mandalaybay.com; Sun-Thurs 10am-11pm, Fri-Sat 10am-midnight)
has a
