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Shopping |
A short while ago nearly all of Bodrum’s
commercial activities clustered in the area still
called “çarsi” (market), a
few streets to the south and east of the Post
Office. Here butchers and ironmongers, grocers
and sandal makers all plied their trade side by
side. A short while ago nearly all of Bodrum’s
commercial activities. |
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A short while ago nearly all of
Bodrum’s commercial activities clustered
in the area still called “çarsi”
(market), a few streets to the south and east
of the Post Office. Here butchers and ironmongers,
grocers and sandal makers all plied their trade
side by side. The tourism boom has replaced those
modest tradesmen and shopkeepers with bars, souvenir
shops and sellers of whatever is currently in
vogue. Regrettably, but perhaps unavoidably, as
Bodrum grows the tiny shops on the crowded, narrow
streets of the old town center are losing their
luster. Their cramped conditions - where high
rentals and a short season require exorbitant
margins to make annual profit - are not amenable
for businesses that operate with more modest margins,
need more space and look for stability. So although
a handful of old-timers continue to cling to their
accustomed venues, the unavoidable exodus began.
The shopping scene is shifting, moving to greener
pastures. But before turning our attention to
the new venues let us mention that Ali Güven,
the world-famous sandal maker, and Engin Dalyanci,
who designs the very popular fish-theme pottery
he sells, both continue to do good business in
the old center of town. Also in this area you
may find the silver jewellery at Çerçi
and Örümcek attractive. |
The first “satellite” shopping plaza to
challenge “downtown” shopping habits was
Oasis, located on the northwest side of town by the
Gümbet crossroads. This shopping mall is still
trying to overcome traditional small town distrust of
innovation and grumbling that big business interests
were out to crush small local merchants. But as people
start to find that shopping in clean and attractive
surroundings can be a convenience and a pleasure Oasis
will probably take root.
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Getting out of the crush of humanity in the
center of town and being able to shop at leisure,
having a meal or a coffee in an outdoor cafe without
smelling exhaust fumes, or taking in a movie are
things that the Oasis Mall offers. Also, Oasis
provides free round-robin bus transport - and
spotless loos!
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Another shopping complex is the Bodrum Karada Marina.
Within easy walking distance from the middle of town,
this new shopping area promises to have the makings
of a popular venue with its “Seven Seas”
atmosphere
created by the backdrop of hundreds of sleek sea-going
yachts. Appropriately, this shopping center is accessible
and open to everyone, not just the patrons of the marina,
so Bodrum residents and all visitors will be able to
shop for some of the finest internationally known labels
like Levi’s, Tommy Hilfiger, Vakko, US Grant,
etc.
The shift in the shopping scene is discernible, so the
shopper looking for that special purchase will be well
advised to wander farther afield. You may find just
the kilim or carpet you want in Emin Diravaci’s
shop on Atatürk Street near the Sölen Bakery,
while interesting and original Turkish miniature works
can be found at ‘Turkish Handicrafts’, a
little farther east on Atatürk Street. Genuine
antiques and elegant handicrafts can still be found,
in a few shops dispersed in an ‘outer circle’
surrounding the older downtown. The influx of well-to-do
Turkish summer residents has created a demand for choice,
one-of-a-kind furnishings and trimmings for their seaside
villas. This, is turn, has made it worthwhile for dealers
to search for, buy and stock items for which there was
little or no market in the past. Finding these shops
can be a minor adventure since they are located somewhat
out of the “tourist- convenient” area, but
the search will acquaint you more closely with the local
scene which is a pleasure in itself. Buying antiques,
however, may be risky since Turkish laws prohibit the
exportation of antiquities with historical and cultural
value, and smuggling carries heavy prison terms. If
you find an antique you just can’t live without,
consult the staff of the Bodrum Castle museum and obtain
a certificate stating that the item you intend to take
out of the country can be legally exported. Old carpets
and kilims should also have such a certificate; this
can usually be taken care of by the carpet dealer, but
ultimately it’s your responsibility. Happy hunting!
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