Hours before the official 10:00 a.m. opening of its individual stores, the Bridgewater Commons Mall is a commercial mini-city that slowly awakens each day.
If you get there, as I did early this morning, you’ll find some of the vendors in the food court, dispensing hot coffee and a wide assortment of breakfast treats – cinnamon buns, muffins, bagels, rich pastries and more.
Typical customers are store employees getting fueled up for door-opening; exercise buffs who regularly pace the mall’s three levels; and, a wide variety of other early risers getting an infusion of java, before the day moves into high gear.
Not to be out-maneuvered, there are a few other coffee shops such as Gloria Jean’s and Starbucks, each positioned away from the food court, but in strategic locations to intercept the unwary.
Light breakfast is hardly the only lure. There are other activities that ramp up and then wane before the 10:00 a.m. opening. For example, a group of young moms with their children periodically shows up in inclement weather, to exercise under the tutelage of a leader-coach, on the first level. Also, this morning, I spied a solitary business person, with his PC plugged into a wall outlet, as he sat on a bench, presumably getting his business day in order.
Keeping a high profile, security guards casually patrol all levels; and, exercise walkers inspect store fronts, completing their circuit. As the 10:00 a.m. hour approaches, it’s time to give way to the open stores and their eager shoppers.
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