topic Re: That was a BUST in Handbags

That was a BUST

smoochy — Sat, 09 May 2026 18:13:57 GMT

I drove fifty minutes to the grand opening of a Portland Leather store in Wesley Chapel Fl. You probably see their ads pop up on Facebook. Nice looking leather bags and accessories. Got all the way there, found a parking space in this busy congested shopping area, grab my cane and....there is a line of ppl going around the block for this store. Its not moving. There are security people at the door, allowing only a few shoppers in at a time. I stood and watched for approx ten minutes to see only 4 people admitted. What the what! Did I mention its sunny, humid, 96 degrees, I have a seriously bad back and I'm old. Not gonna stand in that line and pass out from pain or heat.

Came home. Live and learn.

Re: That was a BUST

Janey2 — Sat, 09 May 2026 18:36:36 GMT

Many stores do this to avoid overcrowding so you can be waited on properly. Occasionally stores that had shoplifting problems in the past also do this as to avoid problems.

Re: That was a BUST

Estellee — Sat, 09 May 2026 18:41:49 GMT

They do the same thing at the Coach outlet store in my area, especially during the holiday season.

Re: That was a BUST

FancyPhillyshopper — Sat, 09 May 2026 18:47:24 GMT

If you are older and retired than you should have more free time available to you. You can surely return there on another day mid-week mid-morning when most younger people will be working and/or in school. A grand opening sounds like a special event that draws a lot of traffic.

Here in Philly fifty minutes is a normal commute from one end of the city to the other, or from the city to the big suburban mall.

Our King of Prussia mall is monstrous, but during the holiday shopping rush, entrances are also very limited to each store, and people line up patiently. Of course, they are in the mall away from the elements. Gucci and Tiffany often have very long lines because each shopper is assigned a personal clerk to show them around and assist!

I have never heard of Portland Leather (I also do not do Facebook), but hopefully you find something you lilke

Re: That was a BUST

Estellee — Sat, 09 May 2026 18:57:09 GMT

It's too bad you drove all that way and didn't get to go in. I wouldn't have waited a long time in all that heat either @smoochy

Re: That was a BUST

elated — Sun, 10 May 2026 05:32:05 GMT

@smoochy That is a real let down. I would have seen the line and went back to my car..Don't they have tags on purses that alerts the store. I know most expensive bags do have them in department stores. They don't have heavy security so this is their saving grace.

I have very little patience when it comes to long lines. In the grocery store, I check around before I go to a register.

Re: That was a BUST

Etoile308 — Sat, 09 May 2026 20:08:34 GMT

Times like that are when a rollator with its seat comes in handy.

Responsible stores adhere to the required fire code occupancy number.

Re: That was a BUST

smoochy — Sat, 09 May 2026 21:24:52 GMT

well it seems that you ladies all know that it is standard practice. I had no clue.

Yes I have lots of free time. Might wait a couple weeks, then go back on a weekday morning as someone suggested.

Their products are leather goods-totes, purses, tons of accessories-with unfinished raw, other side of the hide, interiors. Completely bare with no structure. That's how they keep the prices affordable.They specialize in having many colors and exterior finishes. As it happens, I tried a smallish tote bag a few years ago. It looked beautiful. Had a rich lustrous finish they called nutmeg. Well after a few weeks the bottom began to sag and bulge. Looked bad and then it wouldn't stand up. It just rolled over. I wasn't necessarily going to buy another one but wanted to see how they look now, scope out the inventory.

Re: That was a BUST

smoochy — Sat, 09 May 2026 21:35:01 GMT

@FancyPhillyshopper wrote:

If you are older and retired than you should have more free time available to you. You can surely return there on another day mid-week mid-morning when most younger people will be working and/or in school. A grand opening sounds like a special event that draws a lot of traffic.

Here in Philly fifty minutes is a normal commute from one end of the city to the other, or from the city to the big suburban mall.

Our King of Prussia mall is monstrous, but during the holiday shopping rush, entrances are also very limited to each store, and people line up patiently. Of course, they are in the mall away from the elements. Gucci and Tiffany often have very long lines because each shopper is assigned a personal clerk to show them around and assist!

I have never heard of Portland Leather (I also do not do Facebook), but hopefully you find something you lilke

the traffic in the Tampa Bay area was something we were unfamiliar with. We moved here 8 years ago from west Michigan.There, you could be across town in twenty minutes. We were 150 miles each way from Chicago and Detroit and guess what- it took 2.5 hrs as expected.To us that was normal. This place I went to today is 34 miles away. In my head I still think that should be a 35 min drive. Haha when will I learn.

Re: That was a BUST

deeva — Sat, 09 May 2026 23:12:54 GMT

I usually avoid stores on the weekends, grand opening or not.

If I have to shop, I go early when the store first opens.

Some store limit the number of shoppers because of shoplifting.

Re: That was a BUST

wagirl — Mon, 11 May 2026 14:12:50 GMT

So what was the big event at this place? Sounds like what happens around here when a new burger store opens up--can't believe the crowds that go on an on for blocks just for a burger???

Re: That was a BUST

smoochy — Mon, 11 May 2026 16:26:22 GMT

@wagirl wrote:
So what was the big event at this place? Sounds like what happens around here when a new burger store opens up--can't believe the crowds that go on an on for blocks just for a burger???

Grand opening of store with special discounts, giveaways etc.

Re: That was a BUST

RescueLover — Tue, 12 May 2026 02:05:20 GMT

@smoochy 🌼

UGH what a Bummer ! !

When we went to QVC at Studio Park we had to wait in a long line to get into their bargain basement.

They only let a certain amount of people in at a time, because of the Fire Code.

I bet that was the case with you too.

This is funny ! On Halloween 2 yrs ago I ordered a pizza from a local pizza place to pick up for dinner.

When I got there I could barely find a parking spot and their parking lot is HUGE.

All I could think of was they were giving away Free pizzas. 😂

When I got in the line that was wrapped around the building no one knew why ? A delivery guy running out told us Halloween is their busiest night of the year !! 🥴

It took 1 1/2 hrs to get up to the counter, only to find out our 🍕 was the next ticket to be worked on ! ! 😂

Re: That was a BUST

smoochy — Tue, 12 May 2026 02:35:26 GMT

@RescueLover wrote:

@smoochy🌼

UGH what a Bummer ! !

When we went to QVC at Studio Park we had to wait in a long line to get into their bargain basement.

They only let a certain amount of people in at a time, because of the Fire Code.

I bet that was the case with you too.

This is funny ! On Halloween 2 yrs ago I ordered a pizza from a local pizza place to pick up for dinner.

When I got there I could barely find a parking spot and their parking lot is HUGE.

All I could think of was they were giving away Free pizzas. 😂

When I got in the line that was wrapped around the building no one knew why ? A delivery guy running out told us Halloween is their busiest night of the year !! 🥴

It took 1 1/2 hrs to get up to the counter, only to find out our 🍕 was the next ticket to be worked on ! ! 😂

haha Halloween-you must have been like what the what!?!? Yeh I have since learned that the giveaway bags at Portland Leather went FAST. And the women in line at the 10 a.m. opening, were still standing in the 96 degree sun 3.5 hrs later. I mean why would you do that? What kind of little discount or freebies would cause you to lose all common sense? As i said, I turned around and went home when I saw that long line that wasn't moving.

In the comfort of my air conditioned home, I ordered a leather tote bag and some accessories. On line. Ahhh.😉😊

Re: That was a BUST

Teddixat — Tue, 12 May 2026 18:22:21 GMT

Personally i wouldn't stand in any line for an hour except if they were giving away millions in cash let alone drive an hour The last time I stood in line for an hour was to get on the Matterhorn ride at Disbeylabdwhen I was 30 years old,

Re: That was a BUST

Estellee — Wed, 13 May 2026 15:56:25 GMT

Maybe in a few weeks they will replenish their stock and you can go back during the week @smoochy

Re: That was a BUST

smoochy — Wed, 13 May 2026 16:48:54 GMT

@Estellee wrote:
Maybe in a few weeks they will replenish their stock and you can go back during the week @smoochy

yeah although I ended up ordering online, I would still like to take a look around.

That shopping area also has Sephora, Brighton and Chicos right by the leather store. Woot!

Re: That was a BUST

Estellee — Wed, 13 May 2026 16:52:28 GMT

@smoochy wrote:
@Estellee wrote:
Maybe in a few weeks they will replenish their stock and you can go back during the week @smoochy
yeah although I ended up ordering online, I would still like to take a look around.
That shopping area also has Sephora, Brighton and Chicos right by the leather store. Woot!

@smoochy If I lived in the area I'd go too, I'm in SE Florida.

Re: That was a BUST

Roni18 — Wed, 13 May 2026 17:11:24 GMT

@smoochy wrote:
@Estellee wrote:
Maybe in a few weeks they will replenish their stock and you can go back during the week @smoochy
yeah although I ended up ordering online, I would still like to take a look around.
That shopping area also has Sephora, Brighton and Chicos right by the leather store. Woot!

That sounds like a dangerous place! 😁

I didn't realize that Portland leather had actual stores around the country. I guess I thought they were only in Portland! I have looked at their website but never purchased anything.

Re: That was a BUST

smoochy — Wed, 13 May 2026 17:16:32 GMT

@Roni18 @Estellee

I will report back to you after my bag arrives. Nothing like a review from someone you know, to help you make a buying decision. You know I will be totally honest.

Friends don't let friends carry bad bags

😉😄