Greetings Cards

[charlieuk]

Does anyone know if there are many places that sell english language greetings cards in the DR? Also how about everday spices we'd take for granted in the UK but can't get hold of in the DR?

[Chirimoya]

Greetings cards are not a big thing here, although there are Hallmark shops in SD. The Diamond Mall branch closed down recently, so try one of the other big malls. Toy shops, book shops like Cuesta and Thesaurus and shops selling gift type items may have a rack of cards, but the selection is usually quite limited.

The large supermarkets (Nacional, Bravo, Pola, Carrefour) sell a reasonable range of spices, and there are specialist deli-type places like Omaha Steaks and L'Epiciere de l'Orient on Plaza Paseo de la Churchill (Churchill esq. Pastoriza). In addition, you will find good Chinese supermarkets on Romulo Betancourt and in Santo Domingo's own 'Chinatown' in and around Av. Duarte/Benito Gonzalez.

Hope this helps!

Chiri

[charlieuk]

Thats great Chirimoya thanks for the reply. Just trying to gauge ideas for a small shop/business if we move to the DR. Are there any of these things in the Sosua area? I thought it might be more of a market for ex-pats and tourists. People used to giving cards as a tradition. Also thought it might work by having them for sale in hotel gift shops etc. Any comments?

[Chirimoya]

You'd have to ask the Sosuans on DR1 about that.

I agree, it would have to be aimed at the expat market. Cards are definitely not a big thing with Dominicans. The only people I know here who display Christmas cards are my expat friends, and I am the only member of the family who gives birthday cards with birthday presents. Valentine's day seems to be one of the few occasions when I see Dominicans buying greeting cards, but as I said, the Hallmark shop near me went out of business, so it is definitely a minority interest.

Chiri

[Lambada]

which is 1/2 hour from Sosua. There are 2 stationers, Ripol on 12 de Julio & Cafemba near Courthouse in centre, limited range of greeting cards but they have the best of what is available. There are other stationers, but as for greeting cards, they are not worth mentioning. 2 Supermarkets - Tropical & Silverio Messon, both have a small card rack.
As I keep bumping into folk from Sosua buying their cards in Puerto Plata, I can only assume the choice in PP is better. I get friends in uk to buy Xmas cards for me (in post Xmas sales!) & I collect them once every 2 years when I visit uk.
And welcome from a fellow Brit. if you do decide to move here!