Shopping in Quito
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Centro Comercial Quicentro
Centro Comercial Quicentro Centros comerciales (shopping malls) are nearly identical to their North American counterparts and sell international brands. This mall is open every day (from about 10:00 to 20:30) and has fast-food restaurants inside.
reviewed
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Maqui
If you're interested in a finer 'panama' hat than those you see all over the Mariscal, visit the store of Miriam Kelz, who puts the finishing touches on some of Quito's most stylish straw hats.
reviewed
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Tatoo
This is Ecuador's top brand of outdoor-wear, and the prices are as high as the quality.
reviewed
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Parque El Ejido Art Fair
Quito’s gallery scene is pretty limited, with just a handful of places exhibiting and selling local work. The most popular place to purchase paintings is Parque El Ejido Art Fair during the weekend art fair. The work here consists mostly of imitations of established Ecuadorian artists, but it’s cheap and colorful.
reviewed
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Folklore Olga Fisch
The store of legendary designer Olga Fisch (who died in 1991), this is the place to go for the very best and most expensive crafts in town. Fisch was a Hungarian artist who immigrated to Ecuador in 1939 and worked with indigenous artists melding traditional crafts with fine art – her unique designs are stunning.
reviewed
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Centro Artístico Don Bosco
Near Calle 10 de Agosto, this is the retail outlet for a cooperative of woodworkers from throughout the highlands, formed to give people an alternative to immigrating to cities, so it’s an excellent cause. It has mostly furniture, but beautiful boxes, frames and wall hangings too.
reviewed
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Centro Comercial El Jardín
Centro Comercial El Jardín Centros comerciales (shopping malls) are nearly identical to their North American counterparts and sell international brands. This mall is open every day (from about 10:00 to 20:30) and has fast-food restaurants inside.
reviewed
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Centro Comercial Iñaquito
Centro Comercial Iñaquito Centros comerciales (shopping malls) are nearly identical to their North American counterparts and sell international brands. This mall is open every day (from about 10:00 to 20:30) and has fast-food restaurants inside.
reviewed
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Posada de Artes Kingman
This small but well-stocked gallery is dedicated to the works of Ecuadorian painter Eduardo Kingman, the teacher and primary influence on the better-known artist Guayasamín. Prints, cards, T-shirts, etchings and jewelry line the walls and shelves.
reviewed
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Ag
Ag’s selection of rare, handmade silver jewelry from throughout South America is outstanding. There are also antiques including rarities such as vaca loca (crazy cow) costumes, perfect for your next indigenous party.
reviewed
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Galería Latina
This well-stocked handicrafts shop offers an excellent selection of high-quality items: tagua carvings, colorful Andean weavings, textiles, jewelry, sweaters and handmade items from across Latin America.
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Rosy Revelo
Brilliantly hued canvases and tiny craftlike items adorn the walls of this colorful gallery. Ecuadorian artist Revelo has exhibited her abstract and intriguing pieces in galleries across the globe.
reviewed
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Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal
Half a city block filled with crafts stalls (and the usual hippie bracelets, ponchos and even a couple of body piercing stalls), with good prices and mixed quality. It’s great for souvenirs.
reviewed
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Zoom Fashion House
Above the stylish restaurant-lounge Naranjilla Mecánica, Zoom is a trim little men’s and women’s boutique selling eye-catching urban and beachwear from both Dutch and Ecuadorian designers.
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Galería Mina Alvarez
For a peek at some truly outstanding art, drop by the gallery of Mina Alvarez, whose colorful paintings, mostly of Latin American women, will dazzle even the weariest of critics.
reviewed
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Galería Catasse
Chilean-born painter Carlos Tapia Catasse is one of Quito’s premier (if not mainstream) contemporary artists. Galería Catasse is worth a visit if you’re an art hound.
reviewed
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Arte Sacra
This tiny shop has a lovely collection of high-quality crafts: colorful masks, hand-painted picture frames, linen, glassware and even chocolate liqueur and honey.
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Homero Ortega P & Hijos
One of Ecuador’s biggest sellers of Ecuadorian straw hats (aka panama hats), offering a small but versatile selection of its famous Cuenca brand.
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MarsuArte
This exclusive gallery isn’t cheap, but it’s one of the few in town where you can get a look at some of the country’s most established artists.
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Tianguez
Attached to the eponymous café, Tianguez is a member of the Fair Trade Organization and sells outstanding crafts from throughout Ecuador.
reviewed
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Libri Mundi
Quito’s best bookstore, with a good selection of titles in English, German, French and Spanish. Lonely Planet guides available.
reviewed
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Mercado Santa Clara
This is the main produce market in the new town. Besides an outstanding produce selection, there are cheap food stalls.
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Mono Dedo
Outstanding climbing store with rock and ice gear, clothing, tents, bags and more. The Rocódromo branch has more gear.
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Cholo Machine
Pop into this hipster boutique for a look at some eye-catching graphic T-shirts by local urban designer Cholo Machine.
reviewed
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Pomaire
Long-standing art gallery, café and bookstore with monthly exhibits mostly by contemporary Ecuadorian artists.
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