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Lots of excitement in Charlotte, especially in University Area

By
Home Stager with Domaine Staging

I remember when I first moved here from the DC Suburbs, I thought "you've got to be kidding - no Nordstroms, not even a Crate and Barrel?"  Nine years later, we've got it all...we got a Nordstroms, Crate and Barrel, even a Cheesecake Factory - which is huge for me (when I first moved here and expecting my second child, I would always crave their jumbolaya (spelling?).  I couldn't wait to move back up North.  We've come a long way, baby!  I couldn't imagine moving up North anymore.

I heard that we are getting 1,500 new families moving into Charlotte per week.  I didn't have a chance to confirm that, but if that's true, WOW!  They said we are what Atlanta used to be 10 years ago.  I hope we don't grow too fast and too big, which is why I love Charlotte, cosmopolitan enough but not too congested like other major cities. 

In the University area, I am excited we finally got a much needed mall.  It isn't a fancy uber-mall, like SouthPark.  It is for "real" people.  For people who actually have to think before purchasing a "major" purchase, ok, even if it's for half a second, we still ponder, "do I really need this $100 pair of shoes?"  Did I tell you, we are getting a Target.  Not just a Target - a SUPER Target!  We are also getting a Trader Joes.  My first experience with Trader Joes, was in Maui.  I bought a beautiful hardback coffee book titled, "Maui on my mind" for $35. On my last day in Maui, we had 3 hours to kill before our flight, and thought might as well check out the local Costco.  That same book was at Costco for $19!  I thought, what a ripoff Trader Joes is.  I think it may have just been the fact that we were in Maui and everything is touristy and very expensive.  My sister-in-law swears by their lower prices than some major grocery stores in VA, and tells me they have organic and specialty foods that the other grocery chains don't carry.  I am anticipating in excitement.  Now, to top that off, the University is getting an IKEA!!  Whoppee!  That is sign of the times for Charlotte.

Jeffery Griffin
Jeff Griffin LLC - Wailuku, HI
Broker Owner
Are you sure you were in a Trader Joes? We don't have one here on Maui. But you are right about the fact everything is more expensive on the islands because everything is shipped here over seas by boat and plane. we pay for the price of paradise and thats just the simple facts of life. Mahalo Jeffery
Aug 21, 2007 08:35 AM
Marcyne Touchton
Domaine Staging - Charlotte, NC

Hi Jeffery,

It was about 5 years ago, but I am pretty sure it was a Trader Joes because I thought it was a locally owned business until someone told me they had one in their neck of the woods.  I think it was in Lahaina.  They could have closed down.  I do miss Maui and out of all of the islands, only been to Kaui and Big Island, thought Maui the most breathtaking.  I've never been to Honolulu though from the descriptions, not really interested in going.  Are there local stagers in Maui -- hmmm, maybe I can do some staging there, my husband would love any excuse to move there. ( :

Aug 22, 2007 02:04 AM