Oct 18 2008
The Collective Shopping Experience
Better than a mosh pit, I spent the morning power shopping at my favorite boutique’s once a year sale. Mojo’s was started here in West Monroe, Louisiana, but has stores in cities all over the U.S. They make amazing t-shirt designs that appeal to my hippie sensibilities.
I lined up with my 17 year old son (also a fan) at 7:30 Saturday morning. Dreading going into work right after the sale, I stood my ground. There was already a line outside the store and we began seeing friends. There was a buzz in the air as everyone stood around with sweatpants and pajamas on holding their coffee and looking forward to getting some beautiful clothes. Cheap.
When the doors finally opened, the crowed rushed in and the small space filled up almost instantly. People were jammed into the store toe to toe, bending over boxes and tossing t-shirts, hats, scarves to the side as they tried to find ones that fit. I looked up in awe for a few minutes just to observe. Then my son gave me his camera so that I could shoot a short video.
I held the camera over my head and captured exactly what I wanted. Crowds of people, smiling and shopping with glee. Holding up clothes for their friends to see…deciding whether or not to buy….and when the answer was no, other around them shouting over to find out the size and having them toss the shirts over the crowd to someone who wanted that particular item.
Beautiful.
We came home with a bag full of t-shirts for my son, my finance and myself, a hat, two messenger bags and a dress that I couldn’t resist buying for my cute little 19 year old co-worker who couldn’t make it to the sale. ($93, on sale for $14)
