Speciality Shops, Washington D.C.

If you are a fan of discount shops for high end goods, then this is one of the best stores in the city...well actually one of the best of three since there are three locations in Washington DC alone!!

What to buy: You can find all kinds of designer and name-brand clothing for less than the suggested retail price!! You can find all kinds of clothing, accessories, handbags, gifts, etc. You can get whatever your luggage might hold and if it doesn't hold it, you can buy more luggage!!

An interesting phenomenon if anyone cares to undertake is their FAMOUS Bridal Sale event!! (Of course, timing is of the essence since it is only held once a year!) It is an absolute pandemonium of brides that gather to purchase designer wedding dresses priced upto $9000 or more for a ridiculous fraction of that price, at $249 or $499 per gown (some at $699 if they are REALLY expensive)!!!! Many may be past season, special orders, samples, overstocks, etc. It depends I guess on how desperate you want to be a part of the chaos. Although I have only heard of it, I can only imagine the amusement it must add!!

What to pay: Depends on what you are getting, but expect to pay less than retail.

Well located near Dupont Cirlce on Connecticut Ave, the small store is full of Japanese stuff. Even if you do not buy anything, window shopping is a treat.

Photo credited to http://www.ginzaonline.com.

What to buy: Potteries, books, cards, paper products, kimono, room deco, tea, jewelry, etc. Plus fine dolls and antiques or replica of old stuff.

What to pay: Depends upon what you would buy!

Did you know that until 1970, D.C. residents couldn't even vote for president and vice-president? The U.S. is practically the only nation in the world where the residents of teh capital city are not granted the same voting rights as their fellow citizens.

DC Vote is an educational and advocacy organization dedicated to securing full voting representation in Congress for the residents of the District of Columbia. They sell gifts and souvineers with their logos and politcal message. They also have an online store.

What to buy: You have to be a District resident to get "Taxation Without Representation" license plates for your car - but anyone can buy them for bikes, or on t-shirts, coffee mugs, etc.

Your souvineers could help D.C. residents get the right to vote for representation in Congress and the U.S. Senate and spread the word about the campaign to stop "Taxation Without Representation".

What to pay: $2-25 from stickers-sweatshirts.

With PNG in the offing, I decided that it was time to get myself a decent camera - in those days the Canadian $ was worth as much, if not more than the US $! After looking around a bit, I settled on a brand new Olympus OM-1, a new light-weight camera on the market. With its 50 mm and 200 mm lenses, I was off and running.

The Washington Redskins store sells any kind of team memorabilia you can imagine. The funny thing is, on taking the snap, the officious storekeeper tried to object. Inasmuch as there were no signs prohibiting photography, I took the snap without hesitation.