Grapevine Shopping

2 more images

Grapevine has a main street packed with interesting little shops and while my husband and I were browsing through a few of them, we visited the Blue Moon Gallery.

You'll find dramatically colored decorative bowls and glassware, a few pieces of pottery, Southwest themed metal wall sculptures, unusual wood puzzles, one of a kind sterling silver jewelry, expertly crafted kalaidoscopes from Maine and artwork. (picture 3)

I was mesmerized by all the glittering earrings, bracelets and pendants displayed in the glass case. When I have an afternoon to myself, I'd like to return to have a better look at these lovely pieces! (picture 2)

I've always been entranced by kalaidoscopes and as a child had several inexpensive ones given to me through the years. These kalaidoscopes are masterpieces of art--the patterns intricate and beautiful, worthy of their hefty price, I'm sure!

Gallery hours are Mon.-Thurs. 10am-6pm; Fri. & Sat. 10am-8:30 pm (6pm in January); Sun. 12noon-5pm.

Our realtor introduced me to the treasures of Pandamonium. She gave us a gift certificate to the shop when we moved into our new home. It's become my favorite place to go when I'm searching for a one-of-a-kind piece.

Pandamonium carries original artwork, unique glassware, old-world look and painted furniture, lamps of all types, florals, mirrors, ceramics and many more items to enhance your decor. The sales staff are eager to assist you in making a choice or finding something that will do. The merchandise looks decidedly high-end, but often has a moderate price tag.

A friend and I recently stopped by the shop for their Christmas Open House, one of the first to promote the season. Merchandise was flying out of the store, faster than you could say, "Oh, I want that!"

What to buy: Almost anything to help make your home a special place!

What to pay: Moderate to pricey

This store is a member of a (currently) 41 store chain of stores which offers just about anything that you could imagine for the hunter, fisherman, or any other type of outdoor sportsman. This particular location is the only one which I have visited and I did not go to buy anything. I just went because I have driven by one near my home dozens of times and the Alpine chalet (on steroids) appearance of the building has always attracted me but never made the time to stop. The Grapevine store boasts 200,000 square feet of retail display place. This location also has a mini-brewery and steakhouse, a pistol range, driving range, putting green, and facilities for the repair of your guns, knives, golf clubs, and bows.

What to buy: Anything for the hunter, angler, or general outdoor enthusiast. I did not see any snow sports gear but that may have been because it was May when I was there.

What to pay: About what you would elsewhere seemed to be the going standard here.

It seems to me that if a shopping center has "Mills" in its name, it is highly likely to feature discount and/or outlet stores. Grapevine Mills mall is one of the largest retail and entertainment complexes in the southwestern United States. It is made up of over 1.6 million square feet of retail shops, ranging from Abercrombie & Fitch to Zale's Jewelers, restaurants, and entertainment. It is the home to 15 major department stores (generally regarded as "anchor stores") plus nearly 200 specialty retail shops.

What to buy: Just about anything that you might expect to find in any shopping mall in America.

What to pay: Prices are generally at least 15-20% percent less than in stores of the same chain elsewhere, and sometimes the reductions are much greater than that.

This is one neater shopping venues in the D/FW metroplex. I highly recommend that you (and some friends, family, and/or significant other) check out this mall.

What to buy: They have everything, so shop until your heart's content. I personally enjoy their huge sporting store (the name escapes me at the moment) near the 1st entrance.

What to pay: $20-$200

Another huge store to visit. A well known sporting goods store which carries just about everything you can think of in sporting goods, camping and gifts and home decor.

Unbelievable place, there is over 200,000 sqft just devoted to outdoor activities. There are some 20 stores all around the country.

Open : Mon - Sat 9.00am - 10.00pm, Sun 10.00am - 7.00pm.

This may not be a must do for everyone but if you are an expat and in need of a ‘fix‘ or even longing to see something remotely familiar that is not American, then visit the British Emporium. They were established in 1992 and sell gifts from Britan, Australia, South African, India and Europe. They have frozen goods, meat products, imported cheeses as well as dry and tinned goods. I would have bought some curley wurley’s (confection bar) if it wasn’t such a hot day and the chocolate would have melted within 2 mins.

Other than the large Department Stores there is also a great variety of very different individual stores which also seem to have good values. The Mall is very colourful inside and out. By the time I got there I had little time and saw perhaps only one 10th of the stores there. You really need to be prepared to spend several hours there and have plenty of money to spend because there are some great temptations.

There is also plenty of entertainment with a 30 movie screen cinema complex at the Mall, ESPN X Games Skatepark, Dr Pepper STARCENTER and Sony GameWorks.