By Megan Labor
If you’ve got time to kill before class and your wallet is empty, head over to the Bridgewater Commons Mall. Here are some tips from people who stay entertained for hours with free products and services.
FOOD
Frequent shopper, Michelle Smith, 32, knows how to fuel her hunger. “When I’m shopping, I usually pass the pretzel place two or three times. They offer me a little pretzel bite each time and before I realize it, I’ve probably eaten almost an entire pretzel!”
Mall employee Meghan Walsh, 25, has a different strategy. “I usually start with the pretzel bite at Auntie Anne’s, by the time I’m done with that I’ve been offered a sample of chicken at Bourbon Street Bistro.” Walsh continues her journey to the Japanese eatery where she “has a taste of their sample, which is usually sushi or chicken.”
A small portion of food can settle any craving.
Mall employee Terri Stecker, 27, points out: “Sometimes I just want a couple bites of popcorn or maybe even a pretzel bite.” The perfect place for popcorn: Dale Thomas, according to Stecker. “They have gourmet popcorn and they will let you taste any flavor you want!” The best part: “It’s free, it’s the perfect portion and you’re not spending any money.”
Angela Lanzara, 42, a mall employee, knows how to quench her thirst by bringing a tea bag to work with her each day. “Starbucks will give me a small cup of hot water for free.” The average price of a cup of tea runs about $3.50. This method enables Lanzara to “drink free tea everyday all day long.”
Lanzara also mentions that if it’s water you prefer, “Michael’s Deli and Starbucks will give me a glass of plain water free of charge.” Lanzara adds flavor to her water with “ lemon slices” that she receives “free at Michael’s.”
BEAUTY
“I love getting my make-up done,” says mall shopper Janet Goldfinger, 40. “It’s the most relaxing experience.” Her favorite part is “looking beautiful by the end of it!” Her secret to a free make-up application: “getting it done in one of the department stores—it’s a free service for most companies.”
High school student Stephanie Camponi, 17, agrees. “Anytime I have a prom or dance, I always make an appointment to get my make-up done.” This service helps Camponi “feel beautiful for that moment” because she has “no idea how to do it myself.”
“The Salon at Bridgewater will trim your bangs for free” states salon employee Lori, 36. “Not very many people know that.” Lori also mentions that “it’s great upkeep for your hair.”
Mall employee Bridgette Cane, 18, became bored with her hair. Cane got her hair straightened at the hair care kiosk. “They will straighten your hair using the newest tools.” Cane was excited because she “got to see how the flat iron worked” and she “saw the results instantly.” The best part for Cane: “I didn’t have to buy anything but of course I did!”
Mall employee Allison Parisi, 30, recommends women take advantage of Victoria’s Secret bra fittings. Parisi says that “many women are wearing the wrong size bra.” Parisi insists that a proper fitting bra “can really make a difference in how you feel and how your clothing fits.” Parisi finds this service to be informative and she loves “that it’s free.”
Kay Jewelers offers a jewelry cleaning service that mall shopper Rob Keweshan, 40, has tried. “They do a really good job and it’s done quickly.”
LEISURE
At the Dead Sea kiosk you can receive a hand scrub and massage with a relaxing aromatherapy lotion.
Head downstairs to the William Sonoma store and relax in a leather massage chair. Catch up on celebrity gossip, politics or fashion in CVS. All the magazines are out and open to the public.
These tips are very exciting for the average college student who has spent too much money on books and tuition.
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