This dream MAY be an indication that you're not sure what you want or are not entirely clear with your intentions. Stores typically represent choices and options and possibilities. They also represent material things. The store used to spark great joy in you as a child, perhaps because you dreamed of having or buying anything you wanted. However, that desire seems to have lost its luster. You're no longer interested in such things, happy memories or not. This is sort of a been there done that sort of thing and the realization that they didn't bring as much joy as you thought they would.

To me, the two most interesting things in this dream are the directions or south and west and the fact that you wondered why the academic type people would drive to the southeast side instead of walking like you. The west side entrance contained basic household items, auto parts and garden accessories. Things you felt were boring. Since your describe this as the left side of the building, it could be an indication of the receiving side and may represent the options and choices available to you at this time, but you long for more exciting options and choices that you remember as a child. The fact that the academic types choose to drive may indicate your feelings about the choices of others and how they choose to do things. You feel that just because you can drive and that option is provided, perhaps meaning getting their easier or using the power provided one) you felt it was a waste and wondered why they didn't just walk like you did. This aspect of the dream is showing you a viewpoint, manner of judgment or thinking that you may need to change.