In 1999, something significant happened in America. Easton Town Center launched one of the first lifestyle centers in the country. Les Wexner’s Limited Brands took the concept of a mall and expanded it into that of a faux town with a smorgasbord of experiences. This signaled a paradigm shift in the way I thought of shopping.

12-year-old Ryan LOVED Easton. Why? Going there was getting to experience novelties previously only thought possible on vacation. One, the main hub of the place, Easton Station, had a pavilion they dubbed “Planet Movies” that had an AMC theatre, Planet Hollywood, and an All-Star Cafe. With memorabilia galore. But the only piece of cinema on display I could remember seeing was the Dumb and Dumber Sheepdog. Yes, the van that Jeff Daniels drove in the film. When Easton opened, I had just experienced this movie for the first time, and I was OBSESSED (Jim Carrey + potty humor + being 12 = inevitable hilarity).

This movie was probably also important to me because I was just starting to get adult humor. A lot of films had material that went over my head because I couldn’t hear the dialogue well! So, Dumb and Dumber not only resonated with my level of maturity but also as one of the first movies I found easy to follow from the get-go. So naturally I geeked out.

A complete Easton visit circa year 2000 always started with a visit to Planet Movies to pay homage to the SheepDog van. It then proceeded to a GameWorks visit; again, a fever dream for any 12 year old boy, but especially for yours truly.

GameWorks was a multi-level super arcade. It had a floor to ceiling game with chairs that went up or down depending on if you won or lost points – like an indoor amusement ride. I never did figure out how to play it. Maybe I couldn’t hear the instructions. It took me awhile to work up the nerve to play it because I didn’t like being the center of attention. But being on the ride and getting the experience was enough.

I also recall a roller coaster simulator where you could design your own ride, and then get in a red gondola where you’d “ride” your creation. It was a motion simulator with full rotation capability in all dimensions – it went upside down. I never worked up the nerve to ride it but I enjoyed watching it.

Second on my list of must visits in an early 2000s Easton visit was Virgin Megastore. To indulge in my favorite pastime that would last until this day – acquiring new music. But the highlight of going to Virgin Megastore was the long wall of listening stations highlighting the new releases of the time. There would be upwards of 40 or 50 stations! It was here that I made a decision to buy the Creed album Human Clay. I thought I was so edgy. I recall my dad listening to it as well, and him saying “you sure you want to get this? Well, OK.”

I loved walking into that store and seeing the row of listening stations. If I had to walk into a more obscure section of the store to find something I wanted somehow that felt like a loss. I wanted the full experience.

I think I enjoyed browsing music at Virgin because it felt like I was stepping into an immersive world. Tall ceilings. There was a sense of grandeur and being on the cutting edge of new trends. I felt small in that store, but in a good way. I’ve always felt like I stood out be virtue of being tall. Combining my impairment with my height, it felt good to have an excuse to blend into the environment sometimes.

How about you? Can you relate to any of these experiences? If so, how?