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We are freelance writers who scout out some great finds across North America. Sure we'll take in some of the tourist sights, but we'll also be looking for places or things that are less well known or "off the beaten path" and would be considered too good not to pass along. After we visit an area, we write about our "finds" to inform you, our readers, of what is out there on the road.
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Take an Extra Suitcase
A cloak and a cloth outfit were discovered to be items on a Roman soldier’s shopping list. The Romans controlled Britain from 43-410 AD and the list was found when a stone wall, built while the Romans were there, was excavated in the 1970s. According to Oxford historian Dr. R. Tomlin, the list was originally written in wax on wood. Hence, shopping in some form is likely to have been around for 2000 years. Modern shopping centers began in the 1920s and include outdoor malls, indoor malls, strip malls and the ever popular factory outlet malls.
If you love shopping, I’ve got a destination that will fulfill all your shopping dreams and then some. Take an extra suitcase when you head to Allen, a northern suburb of Dallas. You’ll need it, to carry all your purchases home. Named for politician Ebenezer Allen, this city of 87,000 has several unique shopping destinations. Watters Creek at Montgomery Farm (interstate 75 & Bethany Dr.) is a resort setting with a large creek-side village green, public art, eclectic shopping and even a Farmer’s Market.
One particular shopping center was a bonanza for my wife and I, when we recently visited. The Allen Premium Outlet Mall, located on U.S. 75 and Stacy Road, has 100 high-end outlets (Neiman Marcus, Nautica, Coach, Cole Haan, Polo Ralph Lauren etc.). It wasn’t a holiday, but huge sales were being offered everywhere. Many outlets were offering 40% and 50% discounts off everything in the store. The General Manager of the Outlet Mall, Theresa Barringer, informed us that it is not unusual for sales to be better at the Mall outside of holidays.
We also loved the unique shopping area located across the highway from the Premium Outlet Mall, known as the Village at Fairview and the Village at Allen. Both are reached by taking Stacy Rd. exit off U.S. 75. These two centers lie adjacent to each other and are nestled in a park setting. Like the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, the concept is similar. Shopping, dining and entertainment are accessible to those who wish to drive up to the stores or you can park and walk. Big names like Macy’s and Dillards are here, along with individual boutique style stores. There are even hiking and biking trails.
Save a couple of hours for Cabela’s (1 Cabela Dr., 214-383-0502). This complex is 100,000 square feet and is a favorite with outdoor enthusiasts. Shoppers love the 13,170 gallon aquarium and the two-story Conservation Mountain. There is even a gun library, a general store, an indoor archery range and a café. It is open 7 days a week and is easily located from U.S. 75 at Stacy Road exit.
We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott, which is right at the Village at Allen. It can provide reasonable accommodations because of volume and because they are being promoted by the shopping center. It’s a newer hotel and nicely appointed. From the hotel you  can walk next door to the new (2009) Allen Event Center (www.AllenEventCenter.com). This Centre is multi-purpose with an ice arena at its core. The Allen Americans, part of the Central Hockey League, play here and have been popular during the N.H.L lockout. Parking is free and tickets start at $10.00.
We had the good fortune to be in town during the Texas Stamped Rodeo, held right inside the Event Centre. The two ice rinks are carefully covered with tarps and then truckloads of dirt are transported in, to form a base for top rodeo athletes to compete. My wife and I have been to other rodeos, but this was the first time for us at an indoor rodeo. Although Allen’s weather is often terrific, the indoor venue makes planning easy for attendees. According to Karen Cromwell (Tourism Manager for Allen), the Event Center was realized because of the vision of Allen’s mayor, Stephen Terrell. He is also responsible for guiding the community’s master plan.
Allen seems to have it all within a short distance, a Premium Outlet Mall, unique shopping destinations, 7 good quality, reasonably priced hotels to accommodate those on shopping sprees and lots of restaurants and entertainment on site.
Happy shopping, Scout
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| Welcome to Good Finds on the Road |
 Take a look around and read some articles. Please drop us  a line and let us know what you think. As always comments and constructive criticism is welcome We welcome hearing about your good finds. When we find ourselves nearby to your good find, we'll check it out and write about it. Go to the contact us on the navigation bar and send us your information. |
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