Shopping Should Feel Good

Last Saturday, my delightful employees decided to give me the day off. I wanted to do something that I never get to do, and that was go shopping! 

I love shopping. ( I love it so much, I opened a shop!)

So we took a little day trip to a nearby town to check out some indie shops.

Let me just say, it was not the experience I thought I was going to have. 

And it really got me thinking about the things I think we're doing right here at Yellow & Co., in Mahomet IL.

I've openly talked about how much I do not enjoy going to big-box stores or the mall. Remember my trip to Old Navy where two employees plus the manager refused to sell me the size I needed that was on the mannequin because, “We just inventoried it.” Say what?

 I wasn't expecting to feel so drained trying to shop small. 

By the time we headed home, I realized something:

That was actually kind of stressful, and felt a lot like work.

And maybe we're a little old-fashioned about this, but we don't think it should feel like that.

We think shopping should be an enjoyable way to spend an hour.

We think finding a parking spot shouldn't be the hardest part—and it sure shouldn't require an app.

We think you should be greeted when you walk through the door.

We think you should be able to browse without being pressured—but also without being ignored or judged.

(When I lived in Atlanta and worked at the she-she Phipps Plaza Mall, there were FAMOUS stories about Jane Fonda shopping in a shabby disguise, then spending hundreds. Never judge!)

We think you should find something that makes you smile, in a price range that fits, no matter your budget.

Want to spend $20? Great.

Want to spend $200? Also great.

Just need to grab a card real quick? No shame.

All transactions are appreciated. We'll say thank you, and tell you to have a great day. We mean that. Life is hard enough already, this is supposed to be fun! 

And we want you to feel inspired, too.

We take a lot of pride in the way we merchandise our shop. It's not just stuff on a shelf. We like to tell a story. We want you to notice something you didn't know you needed, laugh at something ridiculous, find the perfect gift, or maybe just wander around for a little while.

So here's what we've tried really hard to get right: 

Free parking.

No meter. No circling the block. No parking app that requires a password and a credit card. We are blessed to have a big/free parking lot. 

Easy to get to.

We're not asking you to make a day of navigating traffic just to come buy a birthday card.

Seriously. Three quick turns off the main road. 

Side note: some people act super weirded out that you enter our parking lot from BEHIND the building. Just pull around front, it will work out, we promise. 

A pretty place to be.

Because if you're going to spend your Saturday shopping, shouldn't the place itself make you happy?

Someone will say hello.

We're happy you're here.

That's not a sales tactic. It's just good manners.

Help when you want it.

Need a gift? We'll help.

Can't decide? We'll give you ideas.

Want to wander around and decompress? Go right ahead.

Something for everyone

A quick card or a big splurge?

Whatever brings you through the door, we're happy to see you. Every customer matters to us, and every purchase is appreciated. We'll say thank you and tell you to have a great day. We mean that.

We've been around for almost a decade, and we've watched so much change in that time. We're just really glad you're here and we want you to know that.

Take it easy.

Elizabeth

 

 

P.S.  If you have never been here, we are located in Mahomet Illinois' new 'Patton District'. Located just off of Hwy 150 on Mahomet's East side business district. 

Our gift shop is located next to our event space where we bring in nationally touring comedians and musicians, among other live shows! 

We'd love to see you!