In lieu of real excitement
Not too long after we returned from our Christmas trip home we were in the Aeon Mall south of Changping, one we had once heard referred to as the Japanese Mall. Since the metro opened up in Changping, it is less than a thirty minute train ride from the stop closest to us. What was once a 100 RMB (or more) taxi ride is now easily reached for 30 RMB in cab fare to the Metro and 2 RMB each subway ticket.
The mall has been evolving continually since we first went there three years ago, The anchor stores, Jusco, Sports Authority, and Hola!, remain the same, but what is in between has been changing. Laura Ashley premiered with the mall's opening, but did not have the staying power that Talbot's did. Vero Moda, Jack Jones, Astro Boy, Paper Tiger, and other usual Chinese Mall occupants have moved in as well. The coffee shop all along has been the Taiwanese Barista Coffee. It's not my favorite, but it's okay.
Back in February when we had an errand in that mall, we were surprised by what greeted us. A new store under construction.
More after the jump
I was really surprised by the announcement that a new Zara was coming. In Beijing this store usually appears in more affluent and busier shopping areas. We love Zara, especially for the kids' clothes and this year it is where we bought some of their Easter outfits.
Last week we were again back in that mall to buy Crocs and see if the Zara was open yet. The banners in front had been changed to read that it would open at the end of May. Through some cracks in the panels we could see it was almost a real Zara.
However, the mall had an even bigger announcement. for us anyway.
I hate to admit that Myles and Brigid jumped up and down at the sight of this coming attraction. Well, Myles truly did because he understood exactly what these signs meant, and Brigid just followed his lead. This new Starbucks will now be the closest to us, at 16 km. It is still obviously not close enough for frequent visits, but a very welcome addition to our orbit.
Because I live in Changping, I'm still not surprised that Starbucks has not landed in town yet. I wouldn't mind bumping into a screen like the one above, though, on Changping's streets.
The mall has been evolving continually since we first went there three years ago, The anchor stores, Jusco, Sports Authority, and Hola!, remain the same, but what is in between has been changing. Laura Ashley premiered with the mall's opening, but did not have the staying power that Talbot's did. Vero Moda, Jack Jones, Astro Boy, Paper Tiger, and other usual Chinese Mall occupants have moved in as well. The coffee shop all along has been the Taiwanese Barista Coffee. It's not my favorite, but it's okay.
Back in February when we had an errand in that mall, we were surprised by what greeted us. A new store under construction.
More after the jump
I was really surprised by the announcement that a new Zara was coming. In Beijing this store usually appears in more affluent and busier shopping areas. We love Zara, especially for the kids' clothes and this year it is where we bought some of their Easter outfits.
Last week we were again back in that mall to buy Crocs and see if the Zara was open yet. The banners in front had been changed to read that it would open at the end of May. Through some cracks in the panels we could see it was almost a real Zara.
However, the mall had an even bigger announcement. for us anyway.
I hate to admit that Myles and Brigid jumped up and down at the sight of this coming attraction. Well, Myles truly did because he understood exactly what these signs meant, and Brigid just followed his lead. This new Starbucks will now be the closest to us, at 16 km. It is still obviously not close enough for frequent visits, but a very welcome addition to our orbit.
Because I live in Changping, I'm still not surprised that Starbucks has not landed in town yet. I wouldn't mind bumping into a screen like the one above, though, on Changping's streets.
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