Victoria Vaden

I scheduled an order for curbside pickup at Best Buy, knowing I'd have my three small kids in tow, with the promise of "wait time: 10 minutes or less".

After waiting double that time with no order in sight, I was left to chase a game of call center ping-pong, only to be redirected back to the original queue.

With no other choice, I was forced to bring my kids into the store, and after informing the cashier about the delay, his reaction was a lackluster "Oh wow." I was then handed a microwave, one that he admit was heavy, but no offer to help was extended.

I'm not the tallest person (at all), so I had no other choice but to balance a hefty microwave on my shoulder, pushing my baby in the stroller, while my oldest child helped push the other side and held my oldest toddler’s hand out of the store. All this happening while a group of Best Buy employees watched from the entrance without lifting a finger to assist.

While I usually leave balanced reviews, this is a clear case of abysmal customer service. I’m left feeling as though having my husband pick up the order would have led to a different outcome. It saddens me to think that the way I was treated was a reflection of chauvinistic attitudes. One should not have to strategize about which family member does the shopping just to avoid such a distressing experience.

I initially chose Best Buy (over Amazon) to save a day on shipping time, but in hindsight, that one day saved cost me far more in stress and inconvenience.

Having worked retail myself, I understand how easy it is for this feedback to be disregarded. It comes down to a SINGLE act of courtesy, of empathy, which was completely missing from my visit. Today's experience was not just disappointing, it was pathetic. If this is the standard of service now, I'd choose Amazon time and time again.

Oh man, the Concord Mall isn't what it used to be. It's like a couple of empty storefronts away from being a ghost town. It's sad, honestly, seeing half of the shops shuttered or worse, out of business.

The remaining shops? Super random. Like, there's a penny candy store, a beauty supply shop, and even have an office for the Mall itself (which is pretty telling if you ask me).

The food court hasn't grown any bigger, but at least it wasn't crowded. That's the silver lining I guess, you can shop in peace because it's extremely quiet. The big stores like Boscovs and Macys are still around and you still get a lunch rush at the food court, but without those, it would look like the Blue Hen Mall in Dover.

I'll probably visit again because it's chill and a nice change of pace from the chaos at Christiana, but honestly, in terms of shops, it doesn't even come close.

Where do I begin? Be prepared to earn your way into the rooftop bar, but only after you climb the world record of steepest steps up a never-ending staircase.

Now, requesting a VIP section turned into a game of musical chairs as we were relocated thrice within the first 20 minutes. But credit where credit's due, everyone was amiable, courteous, and professional.

Their layout is about as unique as it gets for a rooftop bar. You know what's not unique though? The impromptu rainwater collection system they had in place. If you don’t mind a window sill lined with plastic cups to catch rainfall, that is a VIP exclusive you’ll be happy to have paid for.

It's apparent that clubbing has taken a drastic turn since COVID, and it seems like Decades missed the memo on dress code enforcement. We arrived dressed to the nines, only to be surrounded by a crowd that looked ready to break into a spontaneous rendition of 'Woodstock 2.0'.

While the DJ was on point with music, the atmosphere (once crowded) was giving “middle school dance.” As Millennials, it was evident that Gen Z fits the socially awkward stereotype because there was a lot of standing in a circle as if to avoid scuffing their Sketchers.

In the end, our saving grace was our little VIP corner, which became a haven amidst the adolescent festival happening around us. So, if you're looking to relive your teenage years in a rooftop setting and don't mind a little rainwater decor, Decades in DC is your spot.

I recently visited the new Hobby Lobby in Newark and I must say, I was blown away by the variety of items they have in stock!

From art supplies to home decor, there's something for everyone here. I've always heard great things about Hobby Lobby from YouTube videos and other online sources, but I could never purchase anything until now that it's finally open in Newark.

The prices for what's offered are also great, which is always a plus. It's nice to know that I can find quality items without breaking the bank. I'm so glad that this store is now open and easily accessible to me.

And speaking of accessibility, the ample parking is definitely a huge plus. I didn't have to drive around looking for a spot and I was able to get in and out of the store quickly.

Overall, I highly recommend Hobby Lobby in Newark to anyone looking for a wide variety of items at great prices. Whether you're an artist, a crafter, or just someone looking to decorate your home, you're sure to find something you love at this store.

During my summer course in undergrad, I had the chance to visit the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink, and it was a unique experience.

Despite the fact that it wasn't very crowded at the time of our visit, there were still several kids climbing on the sculptures, which was a bit annoying, especially considering there were signs asking people not to climb on them.

However, the sculptures were fascinating to look at. It was a great opportunity to see some interesting art in a new and unique way. Additionally, the picturesque surroundings of the garden made for a great photo opportunity.