Gourmet shopping

I found myself in the Burlington Mall over the weekend and things have changed here for the better. Remember when this mall was joe average? Trying to compete w/ the so-called Natick Collection (ugh) down south, the B-Mall has gone gourmet. And I'm not talking about food options. I'm talking about the low-pressure, post-modern, intimate, personalized shopping rearing its pretty head. First we went to Ruehl, made to look like an indie Greenwich Village shop that got lost and ended up in the burbs. The clothes are for a generation before me, but the exterior — wrought iron fence, brick, windows — pulls you in like the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee. Once inside couches, low-lights, a bistro/ bar area and six shopping rooms are ripe for exploration. The friendly staff hang at the entrance to welcome you like hip bellhops. Is this a boutique hotel, or a t-shirt/jean bodega? Next we hit Cole Haan, and although I really was starting to fade, gourmet guy wanted to try on shoes. Just as I'm about to pass out a kind sales person asks would we like some bottled water?Unheard of. Next thing you know we are lounging on a plush couch drinking petite bottles of Fuji and trying on eight pairs of kicks. Upon check out, salesperson disappeared into a back "kitchen" and the transaction was complete. If this is the new shopping, we have no reservations