Shopping in Saint-Petersburg

The building was built in 1902-1903 in Art Nouveau style. Allegorical sculptures "Industry" and "Trade", "Art" and "Science", made by sculptor Amandus Henry Adamson, are installed on the front of the building. Huge wall-windows showed the commercial purpose of the building.The opening of the store, which gathered the whole world of St. Petersburg, took place in 1904. Visitors to the architecture of the building and its interiors made a lasting impression. Marble stalls decorated with mahogany, stained-glass windows and tiled tiles caused a real sensation.Contemporaries considered the building a great achievement.During Soviet times, the Eliseevsky store was called grocery store No. 1 and you could always buy delicacies in it.From 2000 to 2010, the store in fact did not work. In November 2010the building was included in the federal list of specially protected objects.On March 8, 2012, after restoration, the trading company was opened and customers were again able to appreciate the refined atmosphere and luxurious interior of the halls restored from photographs from 1903.Where to buysouvenirsBeside souvenir shops at museums and on NevskyProspect it is worth paying attention to themarkets.Expensive/within the pocketMarketneartheChurchoftheSavioronSpilledBlood.Themarketwithaviewover the famous church is a nice place for shopping. Here you can buy traditional souvenirs like Matryoshka dolls, samovars, arts and crafts items, icons, and sometimes antiques. Prices are high, but bargaining is welcome. Griboyedov Canal Embankment,2Б.Imperial Porcelain Factory shopsThe legendary Imperial Porcelain Factory is located in St. Petersburg, that is why here you can buy its products without the retail margin. The design is ancient and delicateremindingabouttheimperialpastofSt.Petersburg.Itisbettertobuyatthe factory shops located on Nevsky Prospect (buildings 60, 92 & 160 and at GostinyDvor).A cup and saucer set – from 800 roubles, a teapot – from 1200 roubles, figurines –from 300 roubles, complete sets – from 7500 roubles.Cheap/for super saversFlea market at Udelnaya metro stationOne of the world’s largest flea markets. Here you will mostly find items from the USSR and the 1990s, but some antiques can also be found. The assortment is various:samovars,utensils,clothes,books,dolls,hand-madeitems.Peoplesellfrom stallsandevenontheground (itiseasiertobargainwiththelatter).Thereisalotof junk, but if you come early (best of all at 9:00-11:00) and have at least some knowledge of the subject. At 15:00 sellers start to leave and at 17:00 the place is empty. The market opens on weekendsonly.How to get there: Udelnaya metro station, then cross the railroad and turn right, 5 minutesonfoot.Don’thurrytobuyatthefrontrows,itisbettertogofarther,behind the kiosks stands and people displaying items on the ground as prices are lower there. Beware of pickpockets and ask permission if you want to take a picture as not everybody likesthat.