<p>In case we want to get something we forgot or didn't think of on move-in day, can anyone tell me if there are any chain stores like Target, WalMart etc within reasonable driving distance? How about grocery stores, drugstores? If you can give me an idea of where they are, I can look them up on MapQuest and print it out to bring along.</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>No big box stores near campus. There are drugstores including a CVS on Forbes in Oakland. There's a small Giant Eagle in Squirrel Hill. Both are only a few minutes from campus. But for major stuff you'll want to go to the Waterfront in Homestead, which has anything you could possible want - the Target there is totally prepped for students. It's about 20 minutes away; last year there was major road construction in the vicinity but I'm not sure what's happening now. Last year there were special buses to the Waterfront from campus during the last weekend of Orientation but that involved long waits and big crowds.</p>
<p>The campus bookstore does have some stuff downstairs for dorms in a pinch.</p>
<p>Marilyn,</p>
<p>Thanks very much</p>
<p>I agree that the Target at the Waterfront is your best bet (there's also a Bed, Bath, and Beyond there and a grocery store, among other things). It's not as close, but Monroeville also has a bunch of big box stores. I think the road to the Waterfront is still under construction - it was at the end of the school year. (They're resurfacing and repainting a bridge.) Just avoid it at rush hour. If you can, get a fan before you get to campus; my dad spent 2 hours during orientation going from store to store to buy a fan, because they were all sold out.</p>
<p>Giant Eagle = foodstuffs, can be found in Squirrel Hill on Forbes or near East Liberty on Center (I prefer this one), or at the Waterfront next to Target
Target, Lowes (home improvement, and the movie theaters), Dick's Sporting Goods = at the Waterfront in Homestead
CVS = on Forbes past U-Pitt (24/7) and at the intersection of Wilkens and Beeler (if I remember correctly). There's also a Walgreen's on Center, north of Campus</p>
<p>You can find most things on Forbes Ave or Center Ave, and the occasional Murray Ave. If all else fails, go to the Waterfront (20 minute drive).</p>
<p>EDIT: there is also a Costco at the Waterfront and an Ikea near the Airport (which is NOT close to campus, but hey.... it's Ikea). Best Buy next to Ikea, but I think there's one closer to campus.</p>
<p>There is a Best Buy at the Waterfront, and an office supply store.</p>
<p>Thanks to all for your replies! And I really appreciate the reminder, KK, about the fan---I had forgotten to put that on my list.</p>
<p>Something that I stumbled on that may be helpful to other freshman parents who might be computer-backward like me :) :<br>
I knew you could ask Yahoo maps (and I'm assuming other mapping sites too) to show you local hotels and restaurants, but I had never noticed before that you can just type in the name of a business. So, when Marilyn mentioned CVS I typed that in for the local map and sev'l CVS's popped up---also found Giant Eagle and PNC Bank that way.</p>
<p>We have been to the Squirrel Hill Giant Eagle and have always been underwhelmed (we're used to Wegmans) and so usually go to the Waterfront Giant Eagle even though it is further away. We just found about the one in Shadyside on Center - and hear is is nice - so will be trying that out in the fall...</p>
<p>The Giant Eagle in Squirrel Hill is smaller and has a very large stock of Kosher food. The one in Shadyside on Center is the upscale version of Giant Eagle- quite a bit of organic and prepared food, more gourmet selections. The one at the Waterfront is a more 'normal' grocery store. There's another Giant Eagle farther away in Shadyside, which is remarkably large and doesn't seem to be quite as expensive as the one on Center. More importantly, though, it's next door to a Trader Joe's.</p>
<p>I really like the Giant Eagle on Center Ave. Called the Market District. It's got a larger selection and I'm happy with it.</p>
<p>Further away is Whole Foods too.</p>
<p>And also, there's the Strip District for your ethnic groceries. Cheaper produce and meats. Asian stores and Italian. It's kinda far and really recommend only going on weekends, but things are a lot cheaper there. And it's fun, I think.</p>