Best of Shopping

By Pitt News Staff
November 10, 2004

Clothing Store | Cell Phone Vendor | Clothing Store | Cell Phone Vendor | Place to Buy CDs | Video Rental | Textbook Seller | Florist | Vintage CLothing Store | Place to Get Film Developed | Piercing/Tattoo | Drugstore/Pharmacy | Grocery Store | Hair Salon/Barbershop

Best clothing store: Rue 21

Runner-up: Avalon

Trendy, inexpensive and only a hop down Forbes Avenue, Rue 21 offers men’s and women’s clothing for those in the now who don’t want to spend a lot. If you need a festive graphic T — my personal favorite being “Excuse me while I kiss your boyfriend” — or bargain-bin underwear to put off doing that pesky laundry, Rue 21 is the place. Check out its fall clothing, with hot, silky camisoles and comfy, embroidered cardigans. Go in with $20 and a dream of the perfect outfit, and I promise you won’t leave empty-handed.

-Sydney Bergman, Opinions Editor

Best Cell Phone Vendor: Verizon

Runner-up: Cricket

Your favorite cell phone vendor is Verizon.

Oh, I’m sorry. Can you hear me now? Your favorite cell phone…

What? Oh. Can you hear me now? I said, your favorite…

Wait, no, OK, let’s try this. Can you hear me now?

Can you hear me NOW?

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

Good.

-J. Elizabeth Strohm, News Editor

Best place to buy CDs: CD Warehouse

Runner-up: Dave’s Music Mine

The Oakland area, as you might have noticed, has a noticeable lack of malls. Luckily, we have a place to buy CDs that is far superior to any big chain.

“But Jon, how can any local shop be superior to a big chain?” you ask. Well, try to walk into a mall CD store and find some alt-rock band from 1994 that only had one album or some obscure British drum n’ bass producer’s work.

Those who don’t draw their musical opinion from TRL need a place where they can find less-popular material and the occasional good deal. And that place is CD Warehouse, which once again won the hearts and minds of the Pitt campus, with Dave’s Music Mine coming in a close second.

CD Warehouse has a good selection of new and used CDs, as well as used games for several platforms.

-Jonathan M. Kyle, Associate News Editor

Best video rental: Blockbuster

The installation of Blockbuster to the convenient Forbes Avenue location amounts to a big hole in the pocket for some students who love movies, but more than that, it’s a convenient stop for at-home entertainment.

An alternative to going out to a house party or to the bar, there’s truly nothing like curling up with a good flick and a bowl of popcorn — if you’ve got a special someone to curl up next to, bring ’em along.

Always up-to-date on new releases and with the promise of having movies in stock, it’s hard to find a better place to pick up flicks.

Blockbuster is always up to promotional stints, trying to lure in new members. The most recent is the Unlimited Rental Membership. For one low monthly price you can rent two flicks at a time and keep them until you’ve had enough of them, then take them back and get different ones. It’s a deal that, if you work it out just right, is truly worth the money.

-Brian Palmer, A’E Editor

Best textbook seller: Got Used

Runner-up: The Book Center

Have you gotten used recently? If you haven’t, you’re missing out.

According to you, Pitt students, getting used is one of the smartest choices you can make. If you do it right, it won’t make you sad or angry, or make you feel like you need to take a long, scalding shower.

That is, if you go to Got Used on the corner of Forbes and Meyran, getting used will make you smile. You’ll find cheap textbooks and, when you purchase those textbooks, things like free car decals, coupons, or even the opportunity to win free books.

“The store really wants students to get value for their buck,” Caitlin Noris, a Got Used employee, said. Got Used’s books are in great condition, and they’ve got great Pitt gear and gifts, as well as office and dorm supplies.

Also, Noris said, it’s just plain fun to say, “we get used all the time.”

-Erin Lawley, Assitant A’E Editor

Best florist: Gida’s

Runner-up: Those people on the street

If you catch a sunflower before it blossoms, you might think you’re eating an artichoke. By the time the sunflowers get to Gida’s, though, they’ll probably be blossoming — and rather bittersweet to eat.

For a meal that tastes like fresh baby peas, you’ll need to find the right kind of tulip.

Roses are fruity and violets are sweet, but choose cheaper carnations if you just want to eat.

Sure, you could just pick honey-flavored dandelions on Flagstaff Hill. But with Gida’s right on campus, there are many exotic — and exotically delicious — flowers to lure you into the Forbes Avenue flower shop.

Arranged bouquets are also available in vases, for those who prefer to look at them.

-J. Elizabeth Strohm, News Editor

Best vintage clothing store: Avalon

Runner-up: Goodwill

Have a yen for a certain clothing item that you just can’t get retail, like distressed jeans or the perfect pea coat? Avalon is the store for you. Located above Pamela’s, this vintage resale shop’s rotating stock is a treasure trove of classic vintage — like ’60s hippie-wear and off-the-shoulder “Flashdance” sweatshirts — and newer, brand-name items that won’t break your piggy bank. And if you need to make a little fast cash, take in your old, well-cared-for stuff and trade it for cash or store credit. Also, did I mention the coats? New, old, leather, wool — erm, not that I have a problem, or anything.

-Sydney Bergman, Opinions Editor

Best place to get film developed: CVS

Runner up: Eckerd

So let’s say you have this roll of film, and let’s say maybe you don’t want to get it developed at your drugstore at home because the pharmacist knows your mom or something, and let’s say what’s on the film isn’t illegal or immoral, but you’d prefer not to explain what exactly a keg stand is or what you were doing with that road sign? Get thee to CVS, young Pitt student. And remember the lesson we all have to learn freshman year: Even if you get the negatives, they can still make copies and post them on the Internet.

-Sydney Bergman, Opinions Editor

Best piercing/tattoo: Hot Rod Piercing/Lefty’s Tattoo

There’s obviously no better place to go than Hot Rod and Lefty’s, if you want to get the ultimate experience in body art and modification.

Located in the same building on Oakland Avenue, Hot Rod utilizes the upstairs, and Lefty’s is on street level. If you are a true fan of piercings, tattoos and a little bit of pain, this is your spot to hang out.

Also, what’s better than getting a little ink, then crossing the street for a beer at Peter’s Pub? Some people get tattoos to express themselves, while others do it to honor loved ones. Whatever your reason, it’s a good idea to do it at Lefty’s.

Both places stress the use of clean, sanitary, new equipment at all times. No worries afterward about getting an infection — unless, of course, you don’t take care of your new tattoo or piercing; then it’s your fault.

-Brian Palmer, A’E Editor

Best drug store/pharmacy: CVS

Runner-up: RiteAid

Although CVS is the farthest drug store/pharmacy in Oakland from campus, it is definitely worth the extra walking time. Although, if you’re lucky enough to have a car, it is one of Oakland’s few businesses to offer their customers a spacious parking lot.

By staying open 24 hours a day, CVS is always there to give you what you need. Not only will you find everything typically sold in drug stores, but they sell enough food to be considered a small grocery store. They also offer great deals in the numerous clearance sections located throughout the store.

When you’re feeling under the weather, you can even order your prescriptions online, making it even quicker to get your medicine.

So be sure to make the journey down past McKee Place to our beloved CVS, because it’s definitely worth the hike.

-Laura Jerpi, Staff Writer

Best grocery store: Giant Eagle

Runner-up: Whole Foods

I’m outside the Giant Eagle in North Oakland. Anxiously, I squeeze my Advantage card on my keychain. The minutes tick down to 6 p.m., when I know my favorite cashier is working. I go inside, and immediately feel refreshed. So many choices! I have $6.12, which means I can get pretzels and eggs, or milk and turkey breast, or even 35 packs of gum! It’s all mine!

I feel like a kid in a candy shop, zooming my shopping cart irresponsibly through the aisles, whisking items into the cart, laughing all the way. As I slide into line 4, my cashier gives me a smile. We both know that Giant Eagle is more than just a grocery store. It’s freedom personified, by generic brand names and weekly discounts for all.

-Michael Mastroianni, Chief Photographer

Best Hair Salon/Barbershop: Puccini

Runner-up: Supercuts

The atmosphere at Puccini Hair Designs is unrivaled in Oakland. With its funky purple interior and unconventional style, walking into this salon for the first time is an experience. Puccini provides a full range of hair services, from your basic wash-and-cut to highlights. They also have two lay-down tanning beds, and run specials on tanning packages periodically. Also offered are eyebrow, face and bikini waxes. Puccini sells the complete line of Bed Head products, which are on display in the front of the store. Personable stylists, a friendly atmosphere and service you would expect at a bigger salon all combine to make Puccini Hair Designs our best hair salon.

-Laura Thomas, Photo Editor