By Chicamod.com
We have roamed the streets of Nairobi, searched for information and have a condensed list of top places you could visit to shop for your arts, crafts, clothes and whatever souvenir you could think about.
Here is the list.
1. Spinners Web
It sells jewelry and home décor. It was expanded last year. Over 200 groups provide their products for their sale at Spinner’s Web. It is the exclusive outlet of Kenya Weaverbird Ltd., which makes beautiful hand-woven, custom-dyed pure wool or cotton fabric for curtains, upholstery, bedspreads, carpets, cushions, wall hangings and clothing.
Well, if you are thinking “arts and crafts” then Spinners Web is the place.
Contact information:
Spinners Web Kenya Ltd.
Store location: Getathuru Gardens, off Peponi Road, Spring Valley, Nairobi
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 14226 – 00800, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254-020-2072629 | Mobile: +254-731-168996
FAX: +254-020-4181121
Email: info@SpinnersWebKenya.com
GMail/GTalk: SpinWebKenya@GMail.com
Skype: SpinnersWebKenya
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SpinnersWeb
2. Village Market
The first time I visited Village Market, I lost directions. That is how expansive the place is. It has a sprawling shopping center, a recreational complex with 150 stores, a glorious food court, bowling alley and a theatre.
Some of the stores include arts gallery, Blue Rhino ( for craft), Kalabash Collection ( for craft), Mini Maasai Market ( for craft) and Ocram Girap ( for craft), Wynton House of Music and Anselm’s Kitengela Hot Glass.
Contact information:
Website: http://www.villagemarket-kenya.com
3. City Market
For African souvenirs like woodcarvings, spears, Maasai jewelry and clothing, shields, e.t.c, City Market fits the bill. Also, this is a place to buy kikois and kangas (sarongs). You can also buy meat, fish and flowers here. It is located in Muindi Mbingu Street, overlooking Biashara Street.
4. Maasai Market
It used to be located near Slip Road within Nairobi but since the renovations of the Thika Super Highway, it has moved to a different location. Now, every Saturday and Sunday, you can shop at the Parking Area of the Supreme Court, opposite Re-insurance Plaza, along Taifa Road within the City Centre.
You can find all kinds of African souvenirs that you want—from crafts, arts, pottery, handmade clothes, beadworks, sarongs, African casual wear, Tusker Beer bottle-tops necklaces e.t.c.
You can bargain, too.
5. Gallery Watatu
Located in the Ground Floor of the Standard Street, Lornho House, the gallery is the “reference for collectors, investors, museums, galleries and publishers of works of contemporary African paintings and sculptures”.
If you want art collection, Gallery Watatu should ring a bell in your mind. It also hosts plays and events.
The market is made of about 97% non-resident buyers (foreign sales) and members of the expat community in Kenya.
Contact information:
Gallery Watatu Ltd
Standard Street, Lonrho House, Ground Floor
P.O. Box 41855
Nairobi, Kenya.
Tel: (+254) 722-721847/ 20-2215321
Nairobi, Kenya
Website: http://gallerywatatu.com
6. Triangle Curios Market
It is located near the Sarit Centre, Westlands, Nairobi. They are cheaper since they are located by the road in stalls and they have wonderful crafts.
7. Toy Market
If cheap is your code-word, then Toy Market is the ideal place to shop. However, the stuff will be second hand. The Market is off Ngong Road near Kibera slums.
8. Gikomba Market
For second-hand clothes. And it is a big mass of people rummaging through the clothes or walking by the stalls. It is not exactly within the City Centre and one might need to walk by.
