I used to love the Beverly Center, I really did. I...

I used to love the Beverly Center, I really did. I never really cared for the Grove - to much tourism, too many people.

Yesterday was my first visit after their remodeling (which was really a nightmare). I like the new design from a designer standpoint, found it cold and unwelcoming though.

And unwelcoming it was - first I was shocked when I parked - no one there? I was wondering: is it closed? Then: no people. Not that I really mind, I was not looking to find new friends/ company, but to buy three things:

A: A nespresso machine at Macy's - a cyber monday deal
B: The iphone XS or R
C: Shoes for my wonderful wife :-)

Again no people = bored staff = everyone playing with some sort of mobile devize instead of giving possible customers a welcoming look to make the come in. Shoes first: the sales lady did even bother to look up. We felt so unwelcome, almost as intruders. We left.

Then: coffee machine at Macy's. We were the only customers there, to sales reps. We asked for a specific machine - one had no idea what she was doing. The "Breville Nespresso Creatista Single Serve Espresso Machine with Milk Auto Steam Wand" in black was on display and I asked her if this model was also available in "Champagne". She shrugged - had obvoiously no idea what she was doing there. Shje helplessly looked to her colleague, who said in a harsh Russian accent to "come back later". We left.

Finally: my wife and I want to get new iphones. We went to the Apple store - possibly the busiest store in the mall, but far from being really busy. We were greeted by three important looking guys with mobile devizes to "check us in". I asked if someone could help us to decide between the iphone XS and XR - sure, there are five people in front of me - just give us 30-60 minutes. As we had a business dinner at Cleo (around the corner) in an hour, I asked if he or any of the two others could quicky explain the difference I was whisked off - come back when you bring enough time.

They must have lost their mind.

We left the Beverly Center, bought shoes in an owner operated boutique oin our way to Cleo ando ordered the coffee machine from Amazon. I am seriously considering busing a Google Pixel phone.