I’m currently in the process of restoring my wooden steering wheel on my Datsun 240z and needed to get Spar Urethane and fine sandpaper. So Friday morning I dropped by Ace Hardware and True Value where I managed to find everything I needed. Once I was done I decided to pass by Avenues since I was in the neighborhood and surprisingly, it was a pretty good experience.
Avenues wasn’t busy at all Friday morning, there were no queues to get into the mall and everyone inside was walking around with masks on. The only queue I saw while there was at Starbucks but that’s about it. I ended up passing by L’Occitane and picking up some hand cream before leaving and not once while I was inside the mall did I feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
Even when I was at Ace Hardware and True Values I didn’t feel uncomfortable shopping. Ace was the busiest I’d ever seen it but since the place is so big it didn’t feel crowded at all. They even had all the cashiers open so even when paying you didn’t have to wait in a queue.
So if you’ve been holding off going shopping until things calmed down, well looks like things have calmed down.
13 replies on “Shopping During the Pandemic isn’t so Bad”
What a turnaround from a couple the months ago horrifying supermarket experience lol
How was Ikea? Anyone know?
I stuck to phase 4 so don’t know if it was busy or not
When I passed by Ikea on Friday, there was a long queue in the parking lot! So I didn’t go. Ikea 360 had no line when I was there a day before, but then they started to queue when I left.
Avenues was always empty on Friday morning pre-pandemic.
Yes, my favorite time to visit
Did you see kids there?
I was there last Friday at noontime, and yes kids were there.
IKEA has long queues. Went there on Friday and Saturday. No parking as well so didn’t bother to wait in queue. Ordered my stuff online. They charge KD 5 for delivery even though my total bill was less than 5. So that is the only bummer.
How did you get your order placed? Every time I have tried ordering from IKEA.com, I get a message saying that the orders are closed for today and to try again tomorrow. I’ve tried at many different times. Any tips?
Any other changes you’ve noticed there since your last visit?
No nothing really, i mean they removed all the benches,i had my temp taken before going in and I think that was about it.
Oh Xcite in phase 4 had a small like outside and so did Gait, don’t know how I forgot that. I guess because they’re both small stores they need to limit number of people going in.
I had the completely opposite experience on Tuesday at 11 am. It was pretty packed inside, no social distancing and I saw few people with their mask below the chin. I think it all depends on when you go. Friday morning next time for sure as I didn’t feel safe on Tuesday and left right away.
I also stuck to phase 4 as I had seen the Ikea queue from outdoor parking and decided to go to phase 4 straight away