More Random Reasons Why We Love California & New York

Utah really is beautiful at this time of year--the leaves are changing color, fall is in the air. And, Utah is really growing to be more like California and New York, at least commercially that is. We now have right here in our own little state an IKEA, El Pollo Loco, Steve & Barry's, and yes even a Red Mango!! But is it all the same? Are commercial change store fronts really all the same? In my experience no!

Driving my mini van to Steve & Barry's located in a strip mall in Holliday, Utah just has an entirely different vibe to it than does climbing the stairs to the third floor of the junky Manhattan Mall and lugging your amazing $8.95 purchases down into the subway to make it home. Hustling and bustling for the best pair of Bitten jeans looses some of it's energy when you are just surrounded by other white suburban Mormon moms vs. the crowd in Manhattan.

Ok, I could go on and give examples of how different each of these stores are in Utah vs. their CA & NY locations, but the real impetus for this whole post was our recent experience in Red Mango...

We knew it was opening soon, so we (ok, I) promised the kids that we could go there for Family Night (yes, I truly am one of those suburban Mormon moms I was just writing about). Chris had to work late that night, so just the kids, Cluney, and I went. We marched right in with Cluney in our arms and placed our orders like the confident, experienced customers that we are. Immediately, the place definitely seems different than say the Newport Beach location that we love to frequent. I think it was the plethora of screaming babies--ok maybe there were only two. I also quickly realize that this yogurt is expensive--maybe in CA and NY my reference point for expensive is a little bit out of touch, but now we are back on our reality budget in light of a failing U.S. economy. We sit down and start eating our yummy expensive yogurt with Clueny sitting quietly in my arms. He is behaving much more nicely and quietly than the crying babies and 2 year olds running around. But, soon a young, pained-face Red Mango worker is lingering near our table and announces that the dog can't stay. I simply say ok, but clearly state that in other Red Mango locations, I know that I have seen doggies welcome. So, yes, the whole lap dog, my dog is considered a human trend still has not reached Utah!

A last funny event contrasting our current Utah life with our NY/CA lives of the summer: Yesterday, when Chris and the kids were driving home from somewhere, Atticus spontaneously announces, "Dad, I miss New York. I miss the people. I miss the protests. I miss the subways." Life is just different here.

From Cluney Sept 08

Who would have the heart to kick me out of a store???