Looking back at your retail shopping experiences, are there highlights?

First time winding yourself through the rooms at Ikea? Ever been to a Trader Joe’s? Or what about the Gap back in the day when they sold classically cut, moderately priced, decent quality clothing?

Last weekend, I had another “important” retail experience. And not because I left with bags full of clothing.

I finally made it to the low-priced fashion outlet known as Steve & Barry’s on 163rd Street in North Miami Beach, which opened last December. Right now, everything in the store is $8.98 or less.

The fully lined navy blue pea coat is $8.98. The Ben Wallace sneakers are $8.98. The message T-shirts emblazoned with everything from the Ford Motor Company logo to the University of Miami are $8.98. The all-cotton button-down collar shirts are $8.98. The EleVen line by Venus Williams is $8.98.

Obviously, we’re not talking top quality, but has anyone noticed that quality is more or less a thing of the past when it comes to clothing? Put this place on your list of retail field trips if you’re outfitting teenagers. Heck, moms might even leave with a piece from the Sarah Jessica Parker designed BITTEN line. I left with a pair of black pants and a shirt.

All for less than $20. Unbelievable.