It Happened at Belk's

Jimmy always says that if I ever write a book the title will be It Happened at Belk's. I often have a story that begins, "You will not believe what happened at Belk's today". For example, one day I observed a couple of young women pushing a double stroller down the aisle at the Valdosta Belk. The mothers were busy talking and did not notice that one of the little toddlers held his hand out to touch the clothes as he passed by the racks. At the end of the section, the first rack just tipped over and fell against the next rack, which then fell into the next rack, and so on, domino style until the rack (at least nine racks and maybe more..... I'm not exaggerating here!) next to the cashier fell into her waiting hand. My mouth was hanging open in amazement over what I had just seen but she seemed rather nonchalant and another clerk just started setting up racks and straightening clothes. The clerk said it had happened before.

When I first moved to Moultrie I was thrilled to live near a Belk's after living in "Tinytown" for a few years. I loved my Belk store. It was filled with great separates in good solid colors and cute shoes for school and play. And the make-up counter had more choices than I ever thought I would work my way through. I could count on my Belk's to have a cute outfit when I needed something plus those basics for school. And their hosiery department, which I needed often, offered hosiery for every occasion. They even had a professional photographer come in periodically to take pictures of my precious girls. I was in love. And we maintained our relationship for some time.

But, the years took their toll and my Belk's did not always meet my needs or the needs of my fashion forward children. Maybe I drifted first. Venturing off to Albany, then to Tallahassee. And finally even to Macon......... Looking for more and trendier clothes. I remember my first time in the Macon Mall Gap. A store full of basics. It was heaven. My first purchase was a green stripped, sleeveless shirt that I really loved. Maybe that is when my green shirt thing started.

Anyway, I will share the blame when I say that we were not as close as we once were, but I thought we were still friends. I thought they would be there when I needed them. But, this week I walked into my Belk store and turned left to check out the fall Liz Claiborne line only to be met with clothing that was obviously not my Liz. Where was my Liz? I looked around a bit, then walked down a few aisles and could not find them. I finally waited in line to ask and sure enough............. they no longer carry Liz at this Belk. I'm afraid this is it for us. I looked the other way when the make-up counter repeatedly did not have my foundation and even refused to purchase it when Laurie strongly suggested buying it out of town. I waited and even changing one shade to purchase locally. But, I am breaking up with my local Belk's now. They have let me down too many times. I'm afraid no Belk's is better than a poor Belk's.
We're not that far from Valdosta!