This is likely one of the most frequent questions I get requested by visiting buddies: the place do you store in Bengaluru?
And the reply within the nice Indian custom is “Is dependent upon what you need to purchase.”
The issue is that the majority guests don’t know what they need to purchase as a result of they don’t know what’s obtainable. Most individuals need decisions. They need cute and shocking gadgets that they’ll use. They need one thing significant that can align with their values, be it shopping for vegan fair-trade objects or handmade garments. They need recollections. Consider the masks you introduced again from Africa, the Balinese puppets that grasp in your wall, or the Ganjifa playing cards that remind you of that incredible journey to Orissa.
Some cities are higher procuring locations than others. In case you miss the triumvirate of London, Paris and Milan, then Istanbul has its Grand Bazaar, New York has Fifth Avenue, Morocco has its souqs, and Chennai has Amethyst.
Bangalore fortunately has a number of pretty shops that make looking and procuring an actual deal with. Right here then are a couple of of my haunts. I’ve not included chains or franchises akin to Good Earth or Forest Necessities on this record. Simply native shops.
Ffolio: Yashodhara Shroff gave Bangalore its earliest multi-brand boutique. Situated on Lavelle Highway, Ffolio is a superb place to supply distinctive Indian designers. As well as, Ffolio invitations textile specialists to showcase their work. A latest one was Mumbai’s Belaa Sanghvi who introduced her Patan Patola’s to exhibit at Ffolio.
Cinnamon: This fantastically restored bungalow homes cups, baggage, and garments, all curated by Radhika Poddar. Purchase stationery, scarves, or Peachoo’s fantastically crafted blouses that can uplift each saree. Stroll throughout the road to have a cup of espresso at Maverick & Farmer when you watch younger cricketers play.
Ambara: Most individuals go to Ambara close to Ulsoor Lake to purchase vegetation. The Basava Ambara is Basavanagudi is extra picturesque. However I’ve purchased well-priced sarees and blouses from this retailer for years.
Raintree: Take a breath as you step into this bungalow throughout the road from the ITC Windsor. Parking is a breeze. The Anokhi retailer inside offers the anchor as does Amrapali. Jason Cherian and different Southern trend designers showcase their work right here.
Dwaraka: This Malleshwaram retailer stands for Growth of Weavers and Rural Artisans in Kalamkari Artwork. In case you like the stunning and ghee-scented unique kalamkari work, you need to go right here as a result of Anita Reddy is a crusader.
Vermilion Home: Owned by textile aficionados Purvi Patel, Bina Rao and Uma Rao, the boutique in Benson City does exhibitions and conversations about handmade textiles and crafts. A latest one included an exhibition by Vinay Narkar who showcased Dakkani sarees.
Saanchi Antiques: Situated in leafy Langford City with a stunning cafe on high, Saanchi does high-quality vintage furnishings and curios. Owned and operated by an outdated Bangalorean, Parwathi Mirlay, that is the place to go if you need timeless furnishings.
Home of Angadi: with boutiques in each North and South Bangalore, this Bangalore model is a procuring vacation spot, however is beloved for its silk sarees. Designer Radharaman’s stressed thoughts ensures that custom matches tendencies. Purchase their in-house model, Alamelu.
Chumbak: though that is an all-India model, it was born in Bangalore.
Encrusted: This label by Bangalore-based Deepa Chikarmane focuses on hand-embroidered and handmade western put on. Strive their shimmery attire for events.
The Collage Store: one of many older boutiques of Bangalore which has now morphed right into a crowd-pleaser that caters all issues to all folks.
Home of Taamara: an Indiranagar boutique that focuses on fashionable handwoven sarees and blouses.
Cauvery Emporium: a must-stop if you wish to purchase Karnataka-specific curios that embody sandalwood oil, Mysore sandal cleaning soap and native Karnataka crafts.
P.N. Rao tailors and Paresh Lamba are good locations to go if you need tailor-made menswear.
Safina Plaza has exhibitions that promote every thing from speciality supari (mouth freshener) to handblocked cloth by the yard. Go right here to purchase costume jewelry, cheap desk runners, and knickknacks.
Brigade Highway and Industrial Road are nice procuring streets. The saying goes, “In addition to your mom and father, you get every thing right here.” Different areas are Avenue Highway and Chickpete within the outdated metropolis, however you could know the place to go in these neighbourhoods.
You can’t come to Bengaluru with out shopping for a Mysore Silk and for that, you need to head to the federal government emporium off M.G. Highway.
Tonique is a comparatively new retailer, which is value visiting if you wish to get a way of what Bangaloreans drink when it comes to wine and spirits.
Hatworks Boulevard homes a stunning set of outlets simply off busy Cunningham Highway. There are pop-ups and markets held right here as properly.
Jayanagar 4th block market is the place to go to get a style of South Bengaluru. It has puja gadgets, costume jewelry, and picket bric-bracs.
Blossom Ebook Home and Gangarams are two locations that visiting Bengalureans go to to purchase outdated and new books.
Certain, Bengaluru shouldn’t be as designer-label loopy as Delhi. It will not be as fashionable as Mumbai or as conventional as Chennai. However in its acceptance of all issues cosmopolitan, this mild metropolis manages to supply one factor that each shopper desires: selection.
(Shoba Narayan is Bengaluru-based award-winning creator. She can also be a contract contributor who writes about artwork, meals, trend and journey for quite a few publications.)