There's a lot of retail in Manhattan, and there's a lot more on the way. So if you need to shop, there's plenty of opportunity. You can check a community business directory here.

There are several major shopping districts:

The Manhattan Town Center mall has major anchors Dillard's, JC Penney and Sears, plus 70-some small shops. Interestingly enough, the big enclosed mall is right downtown -- a unique location in a country full of suburban malls springing up out of cornfields. There's plenty of parking.

Downtown Manhattan, which basically sits just west of the mall, is the historic center of the city. It includes several local retailers and service businesses, plus the historic Wareham Hotel, the Riley County Courthouse, and several local restaurants.

Aggieville is the college student hangout district, with bars, restaurants and retail. It's next to the Kansas State University campus. Don't worry -- it's also safe for children and small animals.

There are others: Westloop, a westside retail center anchored by a Dillons grocery story; Seth Child Commons, a new westside development anchored by Target -- with a Home Depot across the street -- plus Village Plaza, the Fort Riley Boulevard retail area, and others. East of the mall is a new Wal-Mart with groceries, which has sparked some additional retail development around it.

The city government is also working with Dial Realty in a public-private deal to redevelop the Third and Fourth Street area. So far it includes a Best Buy location; watch the news for more announcements of incoming tenants.