Boston Store Renovation Leads to Public Nudity?

This is an Inside the Bubble first.  This column comes to you from an altitude 38,000 feet.  Just remember to put the seat back to its upright position when you finish.

Before I begin the actual column, allow me to share this travelling tip. 

ITB Travelling Tip: When flying Southwest Airlines pay the extra 10 bucks and get yourself the boarding upgrade.  Southwest, as many of you know, does not assign seats.  Instead, the passengers load by something resembling controlled festival seating - think Clifford’s on Fish Fry Friday. You want a boarding pass that reads “A”, accompanied by a low number. You got “A 1”? You and the pilot are boarding the plane hand in hand.

Me?  I got “Z 100”. 

Z 100 is outdoor seating.  Alfresco is fine while enjoying a burrito at El Buso. Flying to LA? Not so good.  It is freezing out here. The air is thin, the wind is incredible – my peanuts blew out of hand and fell on Omaha.  So keep that in mind – pay for a better boarding pass - and do not drop your nuts on Nebraska.

Okay, the Rockies are below my dangling feet… It is time we get to the actual column.

Actual Column: (Greendale’s ‘other paper’) our Boston Store is getting a facelift.  This big announcement came from Boston Store’s parent company, Bon-Ton – which sounds like a place that would be known for its excellent egg rolls.

The Greendale Renaissance continues to pick up steam.  We are going to be so cool by the end of 2012.  Poor Greenfield.

While the entire Southridge Boston Store will get the makeover, it is the women’s shoe department that will be the main focus.  The women’s shoe department will double in size.  Women’s feet are expected to remain the same size.

“We want to be the destination for shoes,” said Barbara Schrantz, Bon-Ton’s chief operating officer.  “Woman think of their shoes and handbags as their badge.  They are the pieces they can wear to make a fashion statement.”  

Absolutely.

Women put a lot of thought - and money - into shoes and purses.  This is no accident.  Women know the score, they know what makes this rockin’ world go round.  From strictly an appearance perspective, the shoe / handbag combo it is the deal-breaker.  Women know this accessory combo puts the “Ooo” with the “la la”.

As a man, let me tell you women something:  You have this exactly right.

Picture a group of men at the bar at Ricardo’s. Yes, we are drinking beer, and yes, we are talking sports, cars and power tools.  But then a woman will walk by… Sports Talk is replaced by reverent silence and neck snapping.  Here is the conversation you gals cannot hear:

Guy 1: “My lord, did you see the pair of Jimmy Choos on her?  O M G!  Am I right guys? And her nails!

Guy2: “You have always been a ‘Choos’ Man, Guy 1.  Me? I'm all about her Louis Vuitton. So supple…”

Guy 3: “I saw her in here last week with her friends… They all were flaunting Coach.”

Bartender: “I am going to have to ask you guys to leave.”

Women, you could walk naked through that bar at Ricardo’s and no one would notice if – a big IF - if you have a dazzling handbag / shoe combo.  It is all us men see. That is a promise.  If you don’t believe me, give it a try. Bring some friends.

(Tip for Ricardo’s: “Lady Godiva Happy Hour”.)

On behalf of the men of Greendale, thank you Boston Store for the renovation and especially the women’s shoe department expansion.