Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger
  • ~ Home ~
  • ~ What I Think ~
  • ~ What I See ~
    • Events
    • Food
    • People
    • Places
  • ~ What I Make ~
  • Blog Series
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Disclaimer

Out & About #217 | New Balance Toronto Grand Opening + McMaster Light Up The Night

4/8/2016

 
Utter awe - it's most common reaction I receive from peers, family, and friends when I inform them that my daily morning routine involves three alarms going off simultaneously at 5 AM. In all honesty, the commute isn't nearly as bad as one would think, considering that Mississauga has one of the largest transportation hubs within the GTA.

Waking up early has its perks. shorter lineups, less traffic on the road, and an abundance of parking spots, just to name a few. Additionally, it also means that grand opening events at 7:30 AM aren't too challenging of a trip to make either.
Picture
Picture
The "Coming Soon" sign outside of New Balance's proposed location in Exchange Tower had remained as such since last fall, thus failing to draw any sort of excitement from me until the recent spikes in temperature. In anticipation of the warmer weather, I had sprinted to Square One just last week to invest a pair of faux fur-less footwear, only to be informed of their Grand Opening event a few days afterwards.

With every $160 (or more specifically, $159.99) purchase, customers would receive a free pair of 574 Lifestyle Sneakers with a customized insole. Limited to the first three hundred valid purchases (150 for women and 150 for men), I had anticipated the worst as I neared Financial District.
Picture
Picture
I joined the lineup at approximately 7:15 AM; thankfully, there were only about twenty people ahead of me. The staff were kind enough to allow us into the store several minutes before 7:30 AM. The chaos began from that point onwards.

With the number of customers greatly outweighing that of the store staff, requesting for shoe sizes and processing checkout orders was quite the lengthy process. Ultimately though, I walked out with a new pair of running shoes (to replace my current pair of disintegrating Nikes) as well as the 574s in a striking shade of royal purple. (Also pictured below is the eccentric grey pair from Square One.)
Picture
The remainder of the day involved stopping over at City Hall, among other things such as visiting Chatime's prime downtown location.
Picture
With copious experiences at the Mississauga location behind me, I had expected nothing less from its Toronto flagship. I had approximately twenty minutes until my next train would depart, and opted to wait it out for the sake of avoiding rush hour back home. This was a very poor decision indeed.

I recall having to wait approximately five minutes to place an order on my first visit, along with not being able to find the washroom at the back due to its concealed doorway. Taking sloth-like order-processing properties to new heights, this round cost me ten minutes in wait time, as well as another seven minutes for drink preparation.
Picture
Despite the inexplicably picky and indecisive family in front of me in line, the experience was made a bit better by the girls creating the drinks behind the counter. Though not the most efficient, they were undoubtedly friendly, even donning the welcoming demeanours amidst the crafting chaos.

The Thai Milk Tea and Thai Coffee Milk Tea were equally as tasty as the Misssissauga location, though I can't say I'd visit again due to the high volume of bubble tea-goers in the area. The wait is simply not worth it, especially when the waiting area is a narrow corridor with insane levels of noise pollution (and you have to run to make the westbound train back.)
Picture
Picture
On a more positive note, the highlight of my day was attending McMaster's second annual Light Up The Night Up event.  Held on the last official day of the classes, the event is intended to lift students' spirits prior to the painful exam crunch by infiltrating campus grounds with carnival rides, games, and a brief assortment of free food.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
View the full album HERE !
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
The event concluded around 10 PM, with an extravagant fireworks display over the field.

I suppose my only regret would be failing to capture better shots of the show, despite having secured a fantastic spot and with the correct equipment in tow. The potential of experiencing severe technical difficulties should not be overlooked; I have since learned to be even more careful in the handling of my equipment, noting that majority of things are best done without external interference.

Chatime Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Comments are closed.
    Picture

    Who Am I?

    Formerly an avid owner of several interest-based portals, Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger presents precisely the elements expected. From experiments in the kitchen to miscellaneous musings, from IGOT7 reflections to developments in transportation infrastructure, it's all consolidated here. Welcome to the raw, unfiltered side of Quirky Aesthetics.



    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013


    Categories

    All
    Ahgabond Adventures
    Ahgase
    Arctic Aquarium
    Atlantic Canada 2018
    Barrie
    Beauty
    Birthday Buddy
    Calgary 2023
    Chinese New Year
    Conquering COVID 19
    Daily Randoms
    Eyes On You World Tour 2018
    Food
    Friends
    Hallyucon
    Hamilton
    Hong Kong
    Iron Ring
    J Movie
    K Drama
    K-Drama
    Korean Beauty
    K Pop
    Los Angeles 2017
    Macau
    New York 2018
    Ottawa 2019
    Pilates
    Random Rant
    Restaurant Review
    Seoul
    Shopping
    SSMC
    Taiwan
    Vacation
    Vancouver 2013
    Vancouver 2014
    Vancouver 2015
    Vancouver 2016
    Vancouver 2020
    Vancouver 2022


    trazy.com

    RSS Feed


WHAT DOES "QUIRKY AESTHETICS" MEAN?

Quirky =  a term that commonly refers to something/someone distinctly different and unique
Aesthetics = the visual aspect of things



Together, Quirky Aesthetics refers to the things, events, and happenings seen and perceived by this blog's creator - quirky perspectives in a visual form.

Contact ME

​Subscribe

Join our mailing list today!
Join Now
© Quirky Aesthetics. All rights reserved. Last modified: August 10, 2015.