Blog Trip Day 4 – Shopping…
Well, if you are visiting Arlington and want to go shopping, you are in luck! The Seattle Factory Outlets are just down the road, and they have a HUGE selection of stores to choose from… and some of them are big name, high end stores. We get lots of traffic from our friendly Canadian neighbors who jot down for their holiday weekends to take advantage of the strong Canadian dollar (or is it the weak US one?) so be sure to stay gracious while you are shopping!
There is something for just about everyone over there… below is the short list of shops that are currently in residence – the full list can be viewed here
The Children’s Place
Gymboree
Sketchers
Le Creuset
United Colors of Benetton
Chico’s
Coldwater Creek
Brooks Brothers
Dressbarn
Ecko Unitd
Eddie Bauer
BCBG Max Azria
Juicy Couture
Lucky Brand Jeans
PacSun
Polo Ralph Lauren
Quicksilver
Zumiez
Tommy Hilfiger
Converse
DC Shoes
Nine West
Stride Rite
Nautica & Kids
Wilson’s Leather
Kate Spade
Coach
Movado
Le Creuset
Claphalon
Restoration Hardware
Harry & David
L’Occitane
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Starbucks
As I said, this is the short list… there are LOTS of stores there.
Lakewood Crossing at Smokey Point is also a small shopping center… it has a few big box stores and some food, but nothing small & local. To get that you have to head into either downtown Arlington or downtown Marysville.
Olympic Ave is our main drag… there is a fabulous old movie theater with reclining seats at one end – one screen only, and discounts on Tuesdays. The post office is at the other end. In between there is a great little natural foods store, The School Box – a wonderful resource for homeschooling families, a jeweler that goes to Thailand every few months and sells some great Thai clothes, an Italian bistro that sells kitchen stuff, and a few antique stores. And we must not forget the fabric store! If you quilt, this is one to go to.
Down in Marysville there are a few other choices. Craft Mart is the big local craft store, and Cascade Music is the local guitar, keyboard, band instrument rental place… heavy on guitar though. Think Guitar Center, but smaller. There is a nice little shop that has a pharmacy, kitchen section, and a hallmark-like section inside. They have some really nice things, if you are looking for a gift. I don’t venture into Marysville much though.
If you head south again, like we did yesterday, you can go to either Alderwood Mall (Apple Store!!!) or Everett Mall… I personally recommend Alderwood. They added The Village a few years ago, and it is really nice. Outdoor shopping with high end stores (Apple Store!) like Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Jeans, Nordstroms, etc. Lots of goodies there.
However, my favorite shop in Arlington is Mimsi Bags… but they are available online only. If you are in the area, though, I’m sure we could convince the owner to let you look through available fabrics – she’s pretty good about that if you give her a day or so notice. Of course, I think it helps that it is located in my basement… lol. I can find myself a new bag any time I need one.
Yes, Mimsi Bags is my baby… my youngest baby. My girls love to help put together fabric combinations and sketching out new design ideas (many of which are impossible to make!) and someday I hope that they will be able to help with the actual sewing… but they have to get a little better at the sewing part first!
As part of this Blog Trip, I will be giving away an Alexandra Messenger Backpack to one lucky commenter. The design was inspired by my daughter… she is taking violin lessons and needed a bag to take her music in. As she already had a violin case to lug around, I wanted to make something that didn’t take any extra hands… thus the backpack was born!
Speaking of bags that need made, I should get back to it… it’s been fun shopping with you! I hope you found some good deals..
4 comments
Oh wow that looks like a fun place to shop, and you weren’t kidding when you said it had a lot of stores. Great post and I’m glad to be doing a little “shopping” at this stop!
-brandy
I LOVE outlet malls! You are lucky to have one close by.
We don’t have any outlets right around here, but there’s a couple of awesome ones in Branson I love to hit when we’re up that way.
Speaking of shopping, that Mimi bag is so cool! I’d love to win one of those. lol
Rebekah
littleminx at cox dot net
Looks and sounds like you had lots of fun shopping
I love the new backpack design ~ especially that it’s convertible. *Thanks* for the giveaway!
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