A guide to the Best of Southern California : SHOPTALK : Ben Hur Shopped Here

WILLIAM WYLER USED IT as a backdrop for “Ben Hur”; these days, you can wheel your chariot into the faux 7th-Century BC Assyrian palace, The Citadel Outlet Collection, and shop till you drop at some 50 modern-day retail-fantasy keepers of the flame--Eddie Bauer, Carole Little, The Gap--most of whom prefer to remain nameless. After all, they’re likely selling at retail prices just a few miles away. Finally, a temple to the consumer god. The Citadel, 100 Citadel Drive, City of Commerce; (213) 888-1220.