Thursday, August 25, 2011

Thursdays in Old Town

One week from today it'll be September. It will also be Thursday. These are two good things because Old Pasadena Locals Only Thursdays are back.

The program must have been a success last year because it's been extended to two months this year. On Thursdays during September and October, Old Pasadena merchants will offer discounts to people who live and work in Pasadena. Click on the link above to get details of which stores, what they're offering, and how to prove you work or live here.

The list of participants is heavy on restaurants, which is fine. But this has been a long recession and Petrea needs some new clothes! There are not enough clothing stores on the list! Come on, merchants!

Oh well, it's a start. Some Thursday within the next couple of months, I'll be shopping at the participating clothing stores that offer a discount worthy of the trouble of parking (there's at least one that's not), and I'm sure I'll spend some of my poor, dilapidated dollars.

For those of you who can't justify a trip to Pasadena to shop even on a weekend, I'm sorry. You really are missing out. Yes, Old Town has a few chain stores, but what makes it worthy of your leisure time and legal tender are the many singular boutiques and specialty restaurants you can't find anywhere else. Some of them are even on the Locals Only Thursdays list. Next year I hope there will be more.

17 comments:

Shell Sherree said...

I hope you have your wish, Petrea. Now that you've put the word out, I won't be surprised if a few more clothing offers come out of the closet.

dive said...

What a fabulous idea. I doubt it will catch on here though; my village has a total of three shops and unless you're really into cat food, hairnets or old lady perms there's not much on offer.

Susan Campisi said...

Dive, that's hilarious!

Thanks for the heads up, Petrea. If you want company, I can be your chauffeur. I get free parking for work.

Petrea Burchard said...

Heee, Shell, if only I had the power!

Dive, I see you still live in an area where one must go into town and load up the wagon with supplies. Keep in mind, though, that hairnets can have many uses.

Thanks, Susan, I might take you up on it. If I can't hook up with you I'll limit my shopping to 90 minutes per trip and get free parking in the Old Town garages.

Bellis said...

Parking's free for the first 90 minutes - are you a quick shopper? I'm glad the travel store Distant Lands is on the list, because I've started buying my clothes there. They're lightweight and don't need ironing, plus one pair of underpants can be worn for 6 weeks (it says on the pack).

That young couple in the photo was provided by the Pasadena Tourist Office, right? It's the perfect image to promote Old Town.

Petrea Burchard said...

Bellis, those underpants are going to sell like hotcakes.
You know, that sounds odd.

Anonymous said...

Pssssssssst. Over here. I have fake ID's with a Pasadena address on them. Only 10 bucks. Shhhhhh Don't tell anyone. Cash only.

Latino Heritage said...

Hairnets, did I read hairnets? Are there a lot of cafeterias nearby?
Since my Cafeteria Lady days are long gone, I'll do my best to shop in Old Pasadena.

Petrea Burchard said...

Har, Anonymous, that $10 will cancel out some of the discounts but not all. Some of them are pretty good, actually. The list will give you an idea of which merchants are taking this thing seriously.

Euw, cafeteria food. Is there still a cafeteria in Pasadena? There used to be one near Lake and Colorado but I don't know if it's still there.

Anonymous said...

I'd pay $10 to go jump in a lake today. Waaaah, I'm hot.

Margaret said...

Well, durn for me, living, as I do, outside Pasadena. I think I'll boycott.

Petrea Burchard said...

Hiker, did you get your chance? I hope so.

Now that I think about it, Margaret, it would be nice if the entire Dena were included. I guess it's the ol' "shop local" campaign.

Steven said...

A fine idea. Kinda like neighbors helping neighbors. I hope it is a huge success.

Ms M said...

Have a fun time shopping -- I hope you find some fabulous bargains!

Petrea Burchard said...

I hope so too, Steven. Thanks.

Ms. M, I need them! Wish me luck.

I got an email telling me that the proper way to refer to Old Town is "Old Pasadena." Honestly, I've lived in Pasadena 6 years now and I don't remember ever hearing anyone call it anything but Old Town, do you?

Susan Campisi said...

I've only seen it referred to as Old Pasadena on one or two web sites. But spoken? Only Old Town. I wonder who sent the email.

Petrea Burchard said...

It was from a friend who just wanted to share the information, and was musing on it as I did. I think of it the same way you do--I've seen it written as Old Pasadena, but it's not in the local spoken vernacular.