"Mom, we have to go to Ville Luxury Terrace. I just want to explore. I promise I won't ask to buy anything."
"Courtney, I know you...and I know luxury. Luxury asks for money in exchange for sales. Luxury asks for a lot of money in exchange for high end sales. We are not the luxury type."
"Okay, I understand your rationale..."
"Thank you."
Courtney lightly sighed at her mother's interruption and continued,
"...But I am seventeen now and I have a great job that I love. In fact, I would be happy to keep my position after high school graduation."
"Court, I am happy for you in so many ways. Yet, your income is nominal compared to what I know you will want to buy in the shops at Ville Luxury Terrace. Side note, I am fine with you keeping your job after graduation, but you are still going to college. You have already been accepted to three different colleges."
"Okay again, I understand your rationale, but what if the grand opening has sales to entice new customers? Side note - I already know which college I am accepting."
"Okay well, maybe you have a valid point with the sales idea..."
"Yes!"
"We'll come back tomorrow and you can explore. If there is a sale, you can buy one item. Deal?"
"Deal!"
Tomorrow could not come fast enough.
The Ville Luxury Terrace GRAND OPENING banner proudly displayed once more. The outdoor parking lot was once again at full capacity, but there was a covered garage in the middle of the parking lot and there were a few slots available. They pulled into one, got out of the car, and Courtney's mom could not keep up with her daughter.
"Courtney!"
Courtney slowed down.
There were three major retail chains in the massive terrace mall. Courtney could easily go into any of them anywhere else. Pass.
The terrace mall was an outdoor mall with lovely landscaping in the middle outside stretch. Moving on.
There were theme dives and restaurants every so often. Neither of them was hungry. Moving on.
There were cute fashion accessories shops best for pre-teens with, ironically, older teenagers running the cash registers. This style was no longer Courtney's interest. Moving on.
There were intriguing music shops - one for CDs and one for actual instruments. The one with the CDs was kept in mind.
There were luxury bath product shops. The scents and products were soothing, but Courtney was never one for baths. Her mother, however, looked around and did indeed make a small purchase.
There were fun "off the beaten path" clothing shops. Courtney had to check this out.
"Hey! Welcome to Just For You! Thank you for stopping by. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!" exclaimed the owner, who did not seem to be getting a lot of foot traffic because the store was at full capacity with inventory.
Courtney browsed what she wanted the most - a new pair of jeans and a T-shirt. She did not look deep within the shop to find her must haves - a light blue wash size 12 jeans with tear in the knees and a size XL graphic tee with an electric guitar prominently displayed in the forefront with random concert images in the background. Cool, she thought to herself.
"Excuse me, how much are the jeans and this shirt?"
"You are in luck! With the Ville Luxury Terrace Grand Opening, I am offering 50% off for a limited time.
"Let's see. The jeans are normally $80 and the T-shirt is normally $40. With the half off, the total comes to $60. With the grand opening and limited time offer, I am waiving taxes, so you would only pay the $60."
"Okay, um. Never mind."
"Miss, what is your name?"
"Courtney."
"Hello Courtney. You are my very first customer. The jeans and shirt are on the house. All I would ask in return is spreading the word."
Courtney beamed.
"Of course I will spread the word! Thank you so much! What is your name?"
"Nicholas."
"Hello, Nicholas."
Spreading the word went viral. Just For You became the most popular shop in the entire mall for teenagers and young adults. In all thanks to Courtney, she would receive a loyal customer discount every time she shopped in Just For You...and was even offered an associate position with pay twice as much as her current job. She could definitely afford Ville Luxury Terrace now.
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