DH and I are 2+ weeks past our second Covid vaccine inoculation, and the province of Ontario has progressed to a 3rd level of re-opening since case numbers are judged low/manageable. DH had been itching to hit up Golf Town in order to tick some needs off his list (range finder, golf balls, golf gloves) as well as refresh his kit. We decided to brave a suburban mall (Oshawa Centre) that is in the neighbourhood afterwards, in order to test our post lockdown public anxieties and reconnaissance the shops.

Weather has been super humid and warm, but I run cold and am sensitive to A/C. I wore jeans, a sleeveless button down with a jacket over, and comfortable shoes. I was fine, and kept the jacket on for the duration. (Pic #1)

Store report: there was an attendant at the entrance to Golf Town keeping track of patrons, asking us to use the hand sanitizer and ensuring masks were worn. It seemed like there were a lot of people in the store (mostly men) and that the store was as full of stock as it ever is. In fact it seemed crowded and a bit messy. Change rooms were barred - so DH had to try things on over his clothes, or be prepared to buy and then make a return trip if garments didn’t fit. He got everything on his supplies list, and one golf shirt. He is a silver fox who wears a lot of grey and blue, but we share one colour in common! (See new golf shirt pic #2)

Mall report: the mall seemed as full as it ever was on an early afternoon (12-3) weekday. Access was unmonitored but there were arrows on the floor directing traffic up one side and down the other. Most, but not all, shops had staff monitoring the entry way and ensuring sanitizer and mask usage. A few had queues to get in (2 lingerie shops and Lululemon). We did get into Lululemon, but I found it very crowded, and could not find a replacement for my much loved On The Fly pants. The product that replaces it felt and looked cheap. Actually the ‘hand feel’ of a lot of the items felt icky and DH did not want to replenish his u-wear since the new version was an unappealing modal product. Very disappointing.

As YLF’s reported in an earlier thread https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....the-goods-the stores were full of leisure wear - leggings, sweatpants, and sweat shirts. Lots of tie dye. Stock seemed jumbled and stores messy. Even Uniqlo seemed bursting (and was one of the shops with no one at the entrance, and no SA’s to be found except at checkout!). The exception was Zara! The window displays were spare mini outfit capsules that were very appealing. The store was spacious and super neat with the stock nicely displayed. There was a nice selection of late summer/early fall stuff on the dressier side, and classics with a twist. I liked a display of pale blue jeans, a colourful silky Hermes style printed button down, topped with a red Channel-esque tweed jacket with navy trim and colour blocked footwear. Aritzia was disappointingly full of leisure wear (about 4/5ths of the store) but a small section of Wilfred stuff in camel through oatmeal colours looked promising. I spoke with the SA and she volunteered that the F/W stock is expected to start arriving the first week of August.