K'Mart Has a Loveable Disorder

In the essay, “K’Mart Has a Loveable Disorder”, it was interesting to read that Hank Stuever, the author has a lot of the same views of K’Mart as I have heard many people I know say. I have watched the K’Mart in Petaluma go from the store I used to like shopping in, to the store I hardly go into. My Grandma complains every time she shops at K’Mart, but for some strange reason she continues to shop there. She also complains about how crowded and dirty it is, and how “it always has a way of being a slightly frazzled place.” Petaluma’s K’Mart does not smell of popcorn, but most of the employees do not speak English so it is hard to ask for help. The “blue light specials” do not take place any longer as well. My Grandma says she continues to shop there because it is close to her house, and they have the items she needs when she needs them in a hurry. She says that the prices are cheaper than Wal-Mart and Target, but when we look at the ads together, she sees that is not always the truth. Since Wal-Mart and Target are in Rohnert Park and Santa Rosa, they are further from her house than our local K’Mart so she will tell me that because she does not have to use much gas to get to the Petaluma K’Mart, she is still saving money. I cannot argue with my Grandma, so she will continue to shop at K’Mart and I will never stop her.

I know K’Mart is trying to change their image by having items produced by big name people like Martha Stewart and Jaclyn Smith, but I don’t understand why these people would want to sell their items at K’Mart. I do believe that some items, like toothpaste, gardening supplies, ironing boards, and toys are the same no matter where you purchase them. These items serve the same purpose, and should not be viewed any differently because of where it was purchased. As Hank stated, “Kmart could never be Target. Kmart could never be Wal-Mart.” Is this because people have read about K’Mart having money issues? Or is this because people have their own personal opinions of these three stores? I personally feel that K’Mart’s image has changed in my eyes in the last couple of years, but not for the better. When I go into the Petaluma K’Mart, it is disorganized, smelly, and it always has boxes in the aisles. I wonder why the manager does not look at the store as if he or she was a customer. He or she would then understand why many people have stopped shopping at this store.

Hank Stuever’s essay can be described as one, which is talking about a cultural landscape. The landscape may be a store, it's customers, and it’s contents, but his words bring back many memories. The smells, the displays, and the sounds over the loud speakers are all being described in this essay. For me, Redwood Empire Gymnastics, located in Petaluma, California has a cultural landscape. Whenever the sport of gymnastics is being talked about, REG is always seems to be mentioned. As soon as I enter through the doors, the smells, the sounds, and all the children’s happy sounding voices bring me into a different world. When I look at the trophies, the banners, and hear the music, I relive my childhood. I remember the hours, months, and years I left the world outside and entered into my life in the gym. I have been a competitive gymnast for 11 years, so I have basically lived in this gym. This gym is an interesting place, so go by and watch, smell, and listen to everything going on around you.