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Mumbai is a major port and the country's largest and wealthiest consumer markets. Exclusive boutiques, ethnic markets and mini bazaars have made Mumbai a shopper's paradise. Most of the handicrafts Emporia and bazars are located in the downtown area. Crawford Market, Chor Bazar (Thieves Market), Mangaldas Market, World Trade Centre, Fashion Street, Flora Fountain, Colaba Causeway, Oberoi Shopping Centre, Breach Candy, Linking Road and Zaveri Bazar are the main shopping centers in Mumbai.
Colaba Causeway and Fashion Street are the best place to bargain for clothes. Some of the most trendy and costly shops are at Breach Candy and Kemps Corner. The most interesting bazaars are in Kalbadevi and Bhuleshwar. Shops are generally open from around 10am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday. Some large shops open on Sunday and busy areas like Colaba Causeway are open for business seven days a week from early in the morning until late at night. The following are some of the main shopping centers in Mumbai.
Crawford Market : Also known as Mahatma Jyothiba Phule Market named after a local patriot, the old Victorian building is located north of the Victoria Terminus station. Built in 1869, it used to be the city's wholesale produce market. Just above the main entrance there is a bas-relief designed by Lockyard Kipling, father of Rudyard Kipling depicting workers in a wheat field. The market has interesting varieties of fresh produce at wholesale rates- fruits and vegetables, a meat section, imported cheese, chocolate etc. There is a bazaar area Lohar chawl across the street with an extensive range of goods. Nearby is Kiplings' cottage where Rudyard was born. Open Monday to Saturday 11:30am-8pm Address: D. Naoroji Rd, L. Tilak Rd, Mumbai
The Mangaldas Market : The Mangaldas Market is the largest indoor cloth and dress material market in Mumbai. There are hundreds of stalls where you can buy beautiful material from the finest silk saris to raw cotton. Open Monday to Saturday 11.30 am to 8 pm. Address: Sheikh Memon Street, Near Crawford Market, Mumbai, 400002
Chor Bazar (Thieves Market) : Chor Bazar is a paradise for the antique hunter. It is arguably one of Mumbai's best shopping centers. This much talked about market in Mumbai occupied by an odd collection of shops deals with goods from second hand car parts to handmade furniture. One can buy good painting, jewellery, wooden articles, statues, leather ware and general bric-a-brac, silver coins and lots of other things from here. There are a number of shops where bargain is possible. The main avenue is Mutton Street, flanked by rows of little antique shops. Open Sat-Thurs 11am-7pm. Address: Mutton Street, Between SV Patel and Moulana Shaukat Ali Road, Mumbai, 400003
Zaveri Bazar (Jewellery Market) : Zaveri Bazar offers a range of jewellery in diamond, gold and silver. The market is crowded and bursting at the seams. Napkin rings, picture frames, snuff boxes, bangles and necklaces in old silver can be purchased for reasonable prices. This is where the Mumbai's bullion exchange and diamond market used to be, though it is now primarily a retail centre. Mumbadevi temple is nearby. Open Monday to Saturday 11am-7pm Address: Near Charni Road, Sheik Memon Street, Mumbai, 400033
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