Shopping in the U.S.
By Brooke Comer
In the Colonial days, Philadelphia was one of the most interesting
shopping destinations in the world. Benjamin Franklin noted
in his autobiography the easy availability of silver spoons
and china bowls in his hometown. Today, silver and china is
still widely available, along with a diverse range of other
gifts.
And the beauty of it is, there is no sales tax on clothes
in the state of Pennsylvania (though you will have to pay
7% tax on handbags and other non-clothing items).
Rittenhouse Square and Liberty Place in downtown Philly
are the places to look for high-fashion purchases, and historic
holiday décor during the Christmas season. There's
a big Christmas parade on Thanksgiving Day, and a huge Christmas
tree in the atrium at Liberty Place.
Prices are generally high at the Ann Taylor, Gap, and other
name-brand stores in this upscale shopping area.
You can find sales on the same quality merchandise that's
sold in ritzy Rittenhouse Square at King of Prussia Court
& Plaza, at U.S. Interstate 202 and PA Interstate 363
(001-610-337-4752).
This is the second largest shopping mall in the country with
over 450 stores in three tiers grouped conveniently by price.
You'll find high end shopping at Neiman Marcus, Lord &
Taylor, Nordstrom's, and William's Sonoma, and budget buys
at J.C. Penny, Sears and Dress for Less. One thing to remember:
there are 126 acres of parking space. Don't forget where you
parked your car!
 Back
in the downtown area, you'll find wonderful savings at Market
Place East (701 Market, 001-215-592-8905), the former historic
Lit Brothers Department Store, with it's elegant wrought iron
facade still intact.
Here, you can find good buys at Ross, a discount chain known
for designer shoes, clothes and accessories. Dress for Less
and Dress Barn are among the best bets.
Antique lovers must find their way to Pine Street between
9th and 12th Streets, where there are at least 25 shops. If
you're looking for antiques from a specific period, remember
that some of these shops specialise only in one decade from
1850 to 1970.
Calderwood Gallery (1427 Walnut, 001-215-568-7475) sells
art deco and art nouveau at prices that will definitely beat
what you'll find in New York. And Gargoyles (512 South 3rd
Street) on Society Hill is a great place to find a piece of
Americana -- from toothpick holders, to a gargoyle.
 If
rare books are your passion, visit the W. Graham Arader III
Gallery at 1308 Walnut, where maps are also a speciality.
And you can get leather goods -- as in purses, wallets and
briefcases -- for as much as 40-60% off at Ron Friedman Company
on 3rd Street.
But you can't go to Philadelphia without visiting Franklin
Mills, the mother of all outlet shopping malls (1455 Franklin
Mills Circle, 001-215-632-1500).
Not only does this large mall carry virtually every designer
product known, the prices are excellent because other outlets
send their unsold goods here.
Franklin Mills is divided into three, colour-coded sections
to help you find your way around, and maps are available when
you enter.
For Flights and Airfares to the U.S - click
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