So how are your holiday plans going?

I have already received one Christmas Card by mail. Some people are too organized!

As we are running about shopping, I want to throw this out to the community

The Big Money Question of the Week
What would you do with Military Circle Mall?

Back in November a panel of local business people sat down with the VA Pilot to discuss the future of Military Circle Mall. The topic was what should be done with it. Here are the facts:
They have lost the Double Tree Hotel and two of the anchor stores (JC Penny and Sears). There are a lot of empty shop fronts and traffic is low. It has a good location and it used to be a great shopping hub.
So what happened? Is it the internet? Is it the fact that people are in a hurry and don't want to have to walk the whole mall to get what they want? Other malls are doing well like MacArthur and Lynnhaven, so it is too much competition?
Of course the ultimate question is, what can be done with it?
What are your ideas? Can the site be reworked like Coliseum Mall in Hampton, or is it just over.

Thrift Store Review
One of the reasons for starting this blog was to share my thrift store experience. I have been frequenting thrift stores in this area since I was in high school and I have accumulated a lot of knowledge of where they are and what you can find where. While I do have my own list of favorites I want to share, please feel free to contact me about ones that you know and love.

Name of store and location Charity	Second Chance Thrift Supports the SPCA
Contact info and hours	Contact Info Web:  www.secondchancethrift4pets.com  5193 Shore Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23455 (757)318-7387 9 to 7 (I assume this is M-Sat, but the website doesn’t say.)
What’s nearby and how is parking	Lake Shores Plaza JEB Little Creek, Mexican restaurant Chinese take out Food Lion Taco Bell Arby’s Plenty of parking
Layout and organization	It is clean comfortable, well lit and organized but not spacious. There is a decent selection of clothing for men, but as small boys section They have beautiful furniture sets that are well displayed. VHS, books and households are in the second room; there is a lot of variety and the items are generally of good quality.
Special features
Special deals	Outside book table Outside clothing rack Military discount Punch card
Pricing base This is based on a hypothetical purchase of an interview outfit for a woman. I white button down shirt A nice jacket A pair of black pants _not jeans or dockers A pair of dress shoes And a good bag	Pants $4.99 Shoes $3.99 Bag $5.99 Coat $11.99 On the day I went I could not find a white button down shirt, so I chose a turtleneck sweater. This might work if you have a great jacket, which I found for $11.99. Turtle neck-$4.99 Total-$31.95
Score-7/7	6.75 out of 7. This is one of my favorite spots. It is just down from our favorite take out Chinese restaurant and I usually order dinner and stroll down to have a look. It is well worth the trip.