SRQ's Own QVC

SRQ's Own QVC

Feature by Danielle Kuzel 

Does 8201 or 3501 South Tamiami Trail, ring any bells? Most students at Riverview High School may not be familiar with their addresses, but they are certified experts in knowing which malls and which stores to shop at.

Westfield Sarasota Square is a Friday-night-teen-haven that is renowned for their prime location and family friendly environment. This Potter Parkway hotspot provides a welcoming atmosphere from the time you walk through the door and grab a stroller, until the time you pass through miniature kiddie tables located in the food court on your way out.

On the other hand, Westfield Southgate mall is laden with sophisticated, cosmopolite women meeting their friends for brunch. The high level of class portrayed by this mall is eminent from the time you enter Saks Fifth Avenue and leave through tall, grand doors.

Riverview students have generously weighed in on the matter of which store was their favorite. According to a recent poll that was conducted (by asking 100 Riverview students what their favorite store was), the range of best stores to hit is quite large, but a few favorites can be easily picked out. Over 27% of students have said that “Forever 21” was their favorite store.

“Forever 21 is my favorite place to shop. I like their clothes and good prices,” said Kaitlyn Burrell, class of 2017.

Forever 21 is a store primarily for females that sells everything a girl can dream of from fuzzy sweaters to pink bows – all for a very affordable cost.

Other really favorable stores include: Pacific Sun wear (or Pac Sun), Delia’s, Hot Topic, and Hollister. This accounts for another 27% of the votes.

Pac Sun is a beachwear stores whose prices range from thirty to sixty dollars.

“Pac Sun has ten times better quality than Forever 21,” said Sarah Moyer, class of 2017.

Delia’s is a store that is “girly, basic, and very hipster.” Hot Topic is an edgy store that sells pop-culture based merchandise. Hollister, a store that originated in Hollister, California, is “expensive, yet worth spending a lot,” according to Lyndsey Jones, a freshman at RHS.

Twenty five percent of participants also said that they liked shops such as: Claire’s, Cotton On, Charlotte Russe, American Eagle, Aeropostale, Spencer’s, Urban Outfitters, and H+M.

“H + M has very inexpensive and fashionable clothing items… they are much better than Forever 21 and Pac Sun,” said Helen Zarling, an avid shopper and student, class of 2017.

An alarming amount of teenage boys (5% in all) have said that their favorite store is Victoria’s Secret.

“I like that store because of the models,” said Brandon Lup, a sophomore.

On the contrary, 4% of the males that were polled, prefers to focus on sports, which is why they have voted their favorite store to be Lids or Champs.

“I go there [to Champs] to buy shoes and equipment. It helps me with basketball,” said Ross Mayper, a basketball player and student, class of 2017.

Surprisingly enough, 8% of people said that the most outstanding “store” or “place to spend time” is the AMC theater and food court – specifically Chik-Fil-A.

“We mostly get middle schoolers and high schoolers that frequently hang out at the mall,” said Darsie Strother, Chik-Fil-A employee and Riverview High School student, class of 2015.

So the next time you visit the mall, impress the cashier with the abundant amount of facts you now know, regarding Riverview High School students’ favorite stores.

 Who knows? They may even give you a discount.