by Caron Schwartz
That’s shoppertainment!
When they mapped the human genome, I don’t think they found the shopping gene. But my sisters and I were clearly born with it. It must be dominant on our mother’s side. She got us started shopping for back-to-school clothes at our Uncle Dave’s dress factory in New York’s Garment District. As teens, we roamed Roosevelt Field and the Miracle Mile like bargain-hunting pirates. Paramus’s Fashion Center was a treat.
Tampa Bay offers no shortage of shoppertunities. The Ellenton outlet mall is our go-to meet-up with the youngest Schwartz girl, since it’s halfway between our homes. I love taking a brisk walk (and grabbing a Nordstrom Ice Storm) at International Mall while waiting for the plane shuttling the middle Schwartz from England. It’s way more fun than the Cell Phone lot at the airport, and definitely less stressful than the maze from the waiting area to Arrivals.
Lenny and I recently ended up at Tyrone Square with Middle Sister. While she stopped by JCPenney to pick up an online order, we took a little mall walk. Lenny’s family bonded over board games, so this was new ground for him. But when arcade ping-pings spilled from Elite Game Rooms, he was all in for a look.
Picture an old-school rumpus room lined with every classic game from Pac-Man to pinball. Store Manager Paul Hudson even comped us a few rounds of air hockey, which Lenny won—okay, I’ll blame my lefty play this time, and the fact that I’m still nursing a wrist injury. There was also a mysterious back room. I couldn’t help myself and joked—loudly—if that’s where they kept the porn. Turns out, it was just a sales room with more game tables, ranging from poker to ping-pong and pool. Not nearly as scandalous, but just as fun.
Paul said games near the store’s front are small enough for children, so parents can watch their kids nearby. He welcomes birthday parties, date nights, nostalgic seniors, and anyone looking for a new toy for their rumpus room.