Mike D.
Yelp
As a kid, my parents and I would always travel to Chicago over the holidays. I remember fondly the twinkling lights of Michigan Ave, the hustle and bustle of the shoppers and street musicians, the smell of Garretts popcorn wafting in the air, but most of all I remember the excitement in my mother's eyes as we approached the corner of Erie and Michigan, and walked through the doors of Crate and Barrel.
We would spend HOURS in the store, always picking up some odds and ends that mom needed. What would start as a quick trip for a couple of items would end with us leaving with more than expected (imagine a little asian kid with a bunch of C&B bags strapped to him, walking like a sherpa down Michigan Ave.)
I always asked my mom why she went to C&B...she said "because sometimes it's worth spending a little extra money to get something that will last".
I've always remembered those words my mother said to me, and anytime I need a special piece of furniture, or gadget for the kitchen, I'm sure to make Crate & Barrel my first stop.
For the size of our market, I'm impressed with the scope that the Keystone store covers. The layout is very manageable, and everything is always very organized and neat.
My experience with the customer service has been nothing short of awesome! Their staff is not at all intrusive, and know just when to swoop in to help.
For those of you who are engaged, I strongly recommend adding C&B to your list of registries. There are a number of registry events over the course of the year where the store will close down for a couple of hours on a weekend morning, just to allow couples to poke around and scan items till their little decorating hearts are content! Aside from setting up the registry, managing your list online is a snap, and returning registry items is a breeze. You even get a 10% registry completion coupon after your wedding that's good for multiple use for 6 months! (For those of you who shop at C&B, you know how rare coupons are!)
For you bargain hunters, be sure to ask about the floor sample sales. They normally take place in July, and again in late fall.
I'm holding back my 5th star because they do not offer free local delivery (delivery is $59 for items priced up to $450, and $79 for items over $450).