I came for a Starbucks but stayed for the Grand Opening.
Ross is now located inside the former Rite Aid space. This is a big deal for Coalinga & everyone with their kids, moms, and abuelitas in town & from Avenal showed up for the grand opening.
It was crowded & the aisles are narrow. As if the manager said 'Let's cram in a bunch of merchandise as we possibly can' and that's exactly what they did. The selection was oh how shall I say this, basic & safe. Nothing popped out as extraordinary. They do have name brand bags and for the area, it's pricey but there's people and jobs in town that will buy that $100 Dooney & Bourke basic black travelette bag.
Give it a few more months after the school season starts and the crowds will die down. More merchandise will be delivered.
There are 5 cashier stations and four self-check out registers ready for your tap pay. That's what I did, but expect to show your receipt to staff and they will audit your bag. Unlike other stores, they let you keep the hangers.
They do have fitting room to your left in the back. I looked at the luggage and I saw nothing of quality or security brand wise.
Plenty of staff walking the floors. I did notice something odd while I walked around. Every time I touched something or took a picture of something and placed it back on the shelf, anyone who was near me would touch or grab the same item. It didn't matter if it was the markers, the note books, the backpack, the desk, the purse or the hair products someone around me just had to grab what I put down even though they were plenty of options around. Weird, right? Is this the town mentality or a scarcity mindset. I don't get this when I shop At Macys, Nordstroms. Odd.
I grabbed the scarf that caught my eye & quickly left.
I hope this store succeeds & I hope this community appreciates it and takes care of it. I hope parents in this area have raised their kids right to respect this store and not vandalize or steal the merchandise. Gas prices are high and this local department store will serve this community well and save all a trip driving to Hanford, Fresno for something they can get in town.
Congratulations Coalinga. read more