The Target experience

I had to see what all the fuss was about. Everyone was talking about the new Target opening. I couldn't go anywhere without hearing about it -- the bus, the newsroom, campus. "Target has a Starbucks and a Pizza Hut Express. They have everything," they tell me. So yesterday, I finally did it. I made my pilgrimage to the new Target. Before I made my journey, a friend called me on her cell phone and said, "Everyone and their five kids are here." \nThen another friend told me about the new magnetic controlled cart that stops just before you go into the mall. So my anticipation was mixed between excitement and a fear of hearing screaming babies every five seconds. But I went anyway.\nFirst, I checked out the home accessories, and I saw stuff I never knew I needed. Pretty trash cans, decorative foot stools and pillows -- and the coveted vanity stand. I didn't have any money, though, so I was safe. I wanted everything from the bath towels to a wooden hole punch. I must admit, Target has great home décor. \nThen I made my way over to the clothes, and I saw a few things I liked. I saw lingerie that even had the new built-in garter belt pantyhose. Go Target!\nOne of my friends tried on a pair of cargo pants with a low-cut V neck sweater, and it looked really good. Then I got to the shoe section and saw a pair of brown boots and brown heels I really liked. The heels looked like something women wore in the 1970s when they would go out to dance all night. They covered the heel and the toe, leaving the middle of the foot exposed, with a strap around the ankle. I was starting to see what all the fuss was about, but, once again I didn't have any money, so I had to keep moving. \nAs I looked at and examined more clothes, I stumbled across something that shocked me. It was an Isaac Mizrahi shirt with "ISAAC MIZRAHI" across the front. I thought to myself, "Is Isaac Mizrahi the Tommy Hilfiger of Target?" And at $14.99 each, that wasn't too far-fetched a question. Isn't Target supposed to be reasonable? \nHaving names plastered across the front of your chest was out years ago. While it is nice Target is offering designer labels, or former designer labels at good prices, some things just shouldn't happen. \nSoon, every town with a Target is going to have girls walking around looking like Isaac Mizrahi cheerleaders. They might as well sell pompoms to go with the neon-colored shirts. I was happy to see that the rack of shirts looked untouched. Offering designer clothes is one thing, but exploiting the life out of them is another. \nThings got worse when they said they didn't have any chili cheese nachos, and then my boyfriend turned to me and commented on a little girl wearing a pink and red striped shirt with pink and white striped pants. \n"Look at that little girl. I can't believe her parents dressed her in that," he said. \nAt that moment, I knew it was time to go. Target had gone to our heads. \nI can see it from my apartment -- the massive structure that glows in the night. It sits there, waiting for us to come and spend our money in the new Starbucks and on the Isaac Mizrahi line. I admit I appreciate having a Starbucks within walking distance -- it's a really nice addition to the east side. But, I have to say one thing, consumers should remember it is not Targét, it is Target.