Shopping – All our local tips

Antwerp Hands are world famous. That’s a fact. This specialized old glove-shop is one of a kind.

For several decades House Boon is an established value in Antwerp fashion. They have existed for over three generations

Students of the academy get their gloves right here. If you like the interior, then you will love the service.

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A. Boon | Shopping | Pair of gloves from € 22.00
Lombardenvest 2 | Sint Andries | +3232323387
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 18:00

In the Hoogstraat (close to the Zwarte Panter, check the Zwarte Panter article) there is a little shop called ‘Achter de Maan’ (Behind the Moon).

It is not so easy to tell what they are selling, but it is always fun. They have a lot of design things, and a lot of toys. One of the characteristics is that almost all objects are funny. They make me smile. There are original umbrella’s (in the shape of little persons), bags, funny kitchen stuff and Japanese toys. The sell similar things to Akotee (check the Akotee article) on the Melkmarkt, but yet they have their own style. In Dutch we call the things they sell ‘hebbedingetjes’: little things you want to have, but that are mostly not needed.

What I don’t like is that they sell a lot of plastic and that it is a little bit too expensive. But is is really a great shop to find the perfect present. For somebody else or for yourself.

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Achter de Maan | Shopping
Hoogstraat 45 | Meir | +3232907292
Mon & Wed – Sat 10:00 – 18:00, Sun 12:00 – 18:00

This extremely colorful sweet shop next to the cathedral is one of the funniest in its kind.

Special clocks, crazy postcards, music boxes, books, lamps or bags for your bike: they have it all.

Go in and you don’t know where to look first. It feels like Christmas all year long, even now in the summer!

In Belgium we need an umbrella like Hawaiian people need flowers around their neck.  You can find very colorful and cute umbrella’s right here.  To brighten up your rainy days…

They have the special and very successful brand ‘Kitch Kitchen’. They have all kinds of bags for bikes, in a red-yellow-purple-green… You name it, they have it!

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Akotee | Shopping
Melkmarkt 30 | Meir | +3232132313
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 18:00

American Apparel is an american brand (not very hard to figure that one out ). They sell clean clothes (in the meaning of: made in the US and not China!) in a clean environment. Doesn’t sound very exciting you think? Guess again… when you enter the shop, you just have to stand still and let it all come to you… tops, t’s, sweaters, leggings…. in every color you can think of! They even sell dancing clothes…

I often go there to buy simple sweaters and t-shirts, but i also go there when i have a Theme-party… In a few weeks, i have a party: 80’s-ski outfit! So i went to American apparel to buy myself a fluo dancing top to wear under my ski-pants…and fluo leg warmers and a fluo thing to put on my head! lovely! let the party begin!

Just visit the shop to buy some good basics or have a great time laughing with all the silly stuff you also find there!

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American Apparel | Shopping | T-shirt € 15.00
Kammenstraat 4 | Meir
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 19:00

At the very end of the famous Kloosterstraat, you find the shop of German Designer Anja Austa. It’s a small, but very cosy shop where she sells her own label. Everything (dresses, sweaters, bags, jewellery,…) looks so nice and cute, and the quality is superb!

I always fall in love with the bags and the jewellery. Once a wanted to buy a beautiful sweater there, but it was a bit too big. So Anja made one specially for me, a bit smaller. You really feel at ease when you enter the shop and Anja is sooo friendly, you just want to sit down and chat with her a while.

This address really deserves a visit on your way from the south to the city centre or the other way around.

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Anja Austa | Shopping
Kloosterstraat 175 | Zuid | +3232373867
Wed – Sat 11:00 – 18:00, Sun 14:00 – 18:00

The Central Station in Antwerp is one of the most complete stations, I would say, in the world because it has gorgeous architecture, interesting destinations in Belgium and the Netherlands, travel and tour services, restaurants, souvenir, news papers, grocery, and diamond stores… everything you need actually. Yes, even bikes; underground you can rent a bike for a day or more.

Oh! I almost forgot the one thing that actually inspired me to write about this diamond piece: the free internet access. It might not seem much, but for people like me who need to stay connected constantly, having a free Internet spot means a lot.

So you can actually send that e-mail to your mum while you buy the wedding ring for your fiancé. Or you can check your favorite traveler’s site, Spotted by locals, to see what is new in Antwerp… well the only thing you need is a computer (big or small, size does not really matter).

And this takes me to the recommendation part: enjoy the train station.

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Antwerp Central Station | Art & culture, Relaxing, Shopping
Koningin Astridplein 27 | Stationsbuurt
Daily

The French brand APC is not very well known in Belgium, but very popular in France.

The shop in Antwerp is a very small shop, but it has all you need. Men’s and women’s clothes, shoes, bags,… all very basic but oooh so nice, and very easy to combine with other stuff. My boyfriend often buys sweaters there, and they always have wonderful boots! Three years ago (2007) I bought some boots here, and I still use them almost every day!

They often have some sales in the back of the shop (always handy!). And at the cash register, you find candy called ‘een koffiebolleke’ from Roodthooft… it’s a very famous ‘bolleke’ made in Antwerp (and I’m addicted to them).

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APC | Shopping
Lombardenvest 12 | Meir | +3232265054
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 18:00

Atelier Assemblé is a small shop/atelier that designs retro clothing for kids and women. The people of Atelier Assemblé have an appealing taste for the beauty of former days.

They started in 2005 with only clothing for kids. These clothes are exceptional because of the old fabrics and old accessories. The fabrics are purchased from the stocks of old fabric stores. This is why all the clothing is limited.

It was a hit. A lot of people fell in love with the attractive designs and the patterns. Now there are about 20 shops in Belgium that sell these unique clothing.

Since October 2008 they also have a collection for women. They have about six designs and they offer it made-to-measure. You can select fabrics form the stock of the atelier and choose your own retro pattern…

In November 2009, they’ve opened a shop. And that’s a good thing! When I look inside I feel like spending money. And when I go in, there is a real danger! The fabrics are really great and it is wonderful that they can make the design also for my difficult body. It is more expensive then usual, but it is absolutely worth it to have some original clothes that actually fit!

And they have a great collection for the summer of 2010…

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Atelier Assemblé | Shopping
Leopold De Waelstraat 30 | Zuid | +3232378733
Wed – Sat 11:00 – 18:00

You won’t spot me on the Meir; the shops are too big and too crowded for me. But of course every girl needs clothes (and lots of them). So therefore I shop till I drop @ ‘de Nationalestraat’, Schuttershofstraat, ‘Wilde Zee’, ‘T zuid’…

There is a lot of ’shoppingheaven’ to discover in the small streets of Antwerp.

Baby Beluga is a very nice address, just between the Nationalestraat (with a lot of nice shops) and ‘T Zuid’, you find this beautiful, very cosy shop with brands like Paul & Joe (my favourite for bags!), See by Chloe, Vintage 55, … The Summer 2010 collection looks very lovely.

It’s not an address for everyday shopping (my budget doesn’t really allow that, unfortunately), but when you want to spoil yourself with something special, this is the right place.

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Baby Beluga | Shopping
Volkstraat 1 | Zuid | +3232899060
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 18:30

Bazar Bizar is a cosy shop, filled with things from Indonesia, Morocco, Bali,… 
You can buy stuff there for your own interior, or presents for your family and friends…

My favourite is the pottery from Morocco, and the pillows from Bali, and the jewelry… oh well, I like it all! I used to work at Bazar in the weekends but I still go there a lot, just to feel the atmosphere and buy some lovely cheap jewelry from Bali, or things to put in my garden or house.

I invite you to come and take a look, you will love it! (and they have a bed & breakfast too, completely designed with stuff from the shop).

Bazar Bizar is the perfect shop to buy some lovely stuff to decorate your house with in these cold days. Enjoy!

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Bazar Bizar | Shopping
Steenhouwersvest 18 | Sint Andries | +3232329744
Mon – Sat 10:30 – 18:00, Sun 14:00 – 18:00

Indisputably Belgians are passionate about chocolate, and it is one of the things they are most proud of. A very good evidence of this can be found at the chocolate shop ‘Bourie Chocolatier’, where you can find a big variety of styles, shapes and tastes.

They do not only make very tasty chocolate, they also put so much love and effort in creating real masterpieces: little delicious jewels, bugs, vegetables, fishes, mushrooms, and everything cute you can imagine.

If you believe the prettiest the tastier then this is the place to be. If you do not I advise you to pay a visit, you will probably not be disappointed by looking at these art pieces.

Prices are above average, but they are worth it.

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Bourie Chocolatier | Shopping, Snacks
Korte Gasthuisstraat 3 | Sint Andries | +32032323688
Mon – Sat 09:00 – 18:00

If you are looking for an old record and you didn’t find it yet; go in this wonderful shop and look for it.

Mostly you’ll find that one treasure you really wanted.

It is so well organised that searching is just an easy job. And if you’re too lazy to look, somebody will do it for you.

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Chelsea Record | Music, Shopping
Kloosterstraat 10 | Sint Andries | +3232338577
Tue – Sun 11:00 – 18:00

The man behind the Antwerp six, Geert Bruloot, started his business at the Lombardevest with the shop Louis, but sold it after some years of succes and began a boutique in very nice shoes for men & women, Coccodrillo…

It’s located in the Schuttershofstraat, one of Belgium’s most expensive streets. They will a new shop across the street soon, Coccodrillo only for men. Looking forward to that moment!

You’ll find brands like Dries Van Noten, Lanvin, Maison Martin Margiela, Miu Miu, Prada, YSL, Balenciaga, Raf Simons and many more…

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Coccodrillo | Shopping
Schuttershofstraat 9 | Meir | +3232332093
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 18:00

For the non-Ducth speakers, welcome to the Spotted by locals Dutch course level 1… well not really, but if you are planning to stay in Antwerp for at least one day, it is imperative to learn at least one of the most important phrases in the Dutch vocabulary. Dear readers let me present you ‘te koop’ (’for sale’). Coop let me present you my dear readers.

Although confusing, this store is not the subsidiary of the Swiss supermarket chain. Coop in Antwerp is more fun because if you like toys, design and colors you will be stepping into the right place. From bobblehead Obama’s to ex lover voodoo dolls, there is a wide variety of curiosities to explore at reasonable prices.

It is fortunately not limited to toys; it also offers design lamps and furniture, kitchen and table ware. In short, everything you need to spice your space a bit more. Oh I almost forgot. It opens on Sundays! and that makes it my favorite shopping place (on Sunday).

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COOP | Shopping
Hoogstraat 11 | Sint Andries | +32322945460
10:00 – 19:00 daily

If you love food, love to cook or need a present for a food lover, this shop is the place to be.

It’s located at ‘t Zuid. My father is a wine-freak and when I need a present, I come here. You can find cookbooks (du-huh), but also literature about food or cooking (I once bought him a book with the story of a man travelling from Wine Farm to Wine Farm in Africa, he loved it!). When you want to find a good restaurant, you can buy a restaurant guide here too.

Their website has a ‘Top 10′, ‘Promotions’ and a ‘favourite of the month’.

Sometimes I just walk in, to open a few books to get some inspiration for diner that evening .

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Daem Mollet | Shopping
Volkstraat 9 | Zuid | +3232388959
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 18:00

Theme parties are very trendy to organise lately. So whenever I have a party, I go to Episode… It’s a second hand shop and you can find anything there.

These are the themes I shopped for at Episode:

- Lumberjack Party
- After Ski Party
- Keeping Up Appearances (Hyacinth and Onslow!)
- Totally Wrong 80’s Party
- Fluo ‘this is the sound of C’ party (New Beat!)
- 90’s Party

And believe me, my outfit always was very successful!

Just go check it out, have a laugh or find something really nice (when you search good, you can also find things you can wear without going to a theme party )

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Episode | Shopping
Steenhouwersvest 34 | Meir
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 18:00

Even when you’re not a metal or Gothic or a punk-fan, there’s a shop in the Kammenstraat in Antwerp that is great fun and worth a visit. ‘Fans’ is a clothing shop for Gothics and vampires, and other subcultures and species… You can almost permanently find youngsters with extreme black clothing in this strange shop that has opened the seventies.

The owners of the Fans faced a lot of difficulties and lawsuits over the years because the neighbors considered them dangerous and provocative. But the people that come here may look dangerous, they are often insecure and mostly very nice. When I spoke to the owner last week, he told me: ‘We only get bloodthirsty after closing time…’ I thought this was very funny. In September they wrote `Black to School…’ on the windows.

I used to be afraid to go inside, but since a while I go there sometimes and wander around in the very little shop. It is a lot of fun. They sell the strangest things. I got me a ‘Giant Microbe’ – they’re like teddy bear microbes. I got “the flu”. They also sell coffin-shaped wallets, and of course a lot of clothes. Some are really wearable for ‘outsiders’.

This shop is an icon in Antwerp; almost everybody knows ‘the Fans’ and it is a part of this city. They say it’s a gate to the Underworld, but it is also an interesting place with interesting objects…

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Fans | Shopping
Kammenstraat 80 | Meir | +3232323172
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 18:00

Girls and boys listen carefully because I am giving you one of the keys of having a cheap and yet fancy holiday, but to have it, you must first get your hands dirty: Buy the Flair magazine.

Flair is one of the most popular women magazines in Belgium, there are the Dutch and French version and they can be a lot of fun (if you understand anything), and a new edition is in the stores every week.

For travelers, the useful thing about this magazine is the periodic supplement book. If you are lucky you will get the chance to have dinner for two in a nice restaurant, or have a very fulfilling and fancy breakfast for less than 10 euro.

The conditions are indicated in the book and if you do not understand ask your favorite Belgian, they may even want to join.

So, are you ready? Take a pick at the news stand for the newest number and see if you can take advantage of the promotions like a local!

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Flair | Shopping | Magazine € 2.10
Bookshops | Stationsbuurt
Daily

When you are in Antwerp on a Friday morning, it is something you really have to see: the strange and famous ‘Vrijdagse Markt’. Go there!

It’s great and it’s so typically Antwerp. It’s a little adventure on a Friday morning. It’s a second hand market but what it makes different is the way of selling: it ’s an auction, they talk really ‘aantwaarps’ and sometimes you think they will be fighting soon because people get all incited.

They mostly sell furniture and bicycles but it is incredible what else you can buy there: a box with toothbrushes made in 1963, a complete correspondence between a mother and a son over twenty years, a broken toaster, dirty teddy bears, etc. Sometimes it is real rubbish and sometimes it is a treasure. A lot of the things come from old people that died, shops that went bankrupt.

It starts at nine in the morning and it finishes at one o’clock in the afternoon. The garbage car comes between one and two and cleans the whole square. And that’s necessary. All the things that nobody wanted are left behind.

I don’t know how long it already exists, but I guess it was always there. I’m mostly working on a Friday morning and i don’t go there often, but when I have the chance i don’t want to miss it, this special market, so lively, so energetic.

And maybe nice to know: the museum of Plantijn en Moretus is on the same square…

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Friday Market | Art & culture, Shopping, Festivals & events | Free
Vrijdagmarkt | Meir
Fri 09:00 – 13:00

Cures homesickness (guaranteed!)

It does not matter where you travel to, it is almost imperative for any traveler to eat something from their home country. Just like rice is to Chinese, fries to Belgians, chili to Mexicans, hamburgers to Americans… the Graré American Food Store offers locals and travelers with a wide selection of original American and Mexican products (yes, you read it right, Mexican!)

From sweets to the-perfect-hamburger spices, from sauces to cereals, the store offers the most known brands at above market prices (for obvious reasons). It is located outside the city, but it is really easy to reach with the bus.

Another advantage is that it is open on Sundays, and it is also possible to order the product you would like them to sell.

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Graré | Shopping, Snacks | Grocery from € 1.00
Prins Boudewijnlaan 175, Wilrijk | Zurenborg | +32034494118
Tue – Thu 12:00 – 18:00, Fri – Sun 14:00 – 18:00, Sat 10:00 – 18:00

Truly speaking I have problems with commitment because I like shopping here and there, but when it is about body products, I am loyal like a dog.

I found Kiehl’s pretty much the way I found any other store: through the seduction of promotions and free samples. This time I am so glad I followed the promises of perfect skin because everything I have bought worked wonderfully.

It can be intimidating being in a store with hundreds of products, but luckily the personnel is very helpful and friendly. They provide very knowledgeable advice by matching the needs of your skin type and lifestyle with their stock, you are not obliged to make any purchase and you can ask for free samples to see if the product works for you.

If you are already loyal to this American chain then I am not saying something new, but if you are not, why don’t you try it out and become a fan?

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Kiehl’s | Shopping
Lombardenvest 80 | Sint Andries | +32032261460
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 18:00

On a lazy Sunday I love to walk through the Kloosterstraat. It’s my favorite ‘window shop street’. Most of the shops sell antiques: furniture, books, nice African antiques, etc. Some sell bathroom antiques, others sell Christmas decoration or fifties-objects. The fun is that there is this great amusing diversity and incredible curiosa.

The Kloosterstraat is like a constant changing open air museum where you can buy the strangest objects. If you have enough money of course. That’s an important detail: almost everything in the Kloosterstraat is heavily overpriced. But it is a pleasure to discover all the secret objects that are lost in time and lost in the Kloosterstraat.

They say that this street has an international reputation and that a lot of wardrobes and tables and books and stuff are sold overseas, but that I don’t know. What I do know is that I’m full of plans and dreams when I walk through this street. Plans for how I’m going to decorate that really big castle when I have that disgraceful amount of money.

I find it an amusing walk to the city center because every time I see things that I cannot believe or things that I never expected to see ever again. I can recommend a spaziergang to the South through the Kloosterstraat. And if you can resist all the beautiful things, it’s free…

On Monday and Tuesday the most shops are closed. The weekend is the best moment to visit this street…

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Kloosterstraat | Shopping
Kloosterstraat | Sint Andries
Aproximately Wed – Sun 10:00 – 18:00

This little store is a visit worth for every fashion victim who goes out shopping in the fashion capital of Belgium.

Labels Inc is a second hand shop from all Belgian designers just in the middle of the best shopping-area!

Very low prices for clothes of Dries Van Noten, Véronique Branquinho and Ann Demeulemeester…

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Labels Inc. | Shopping
Aalmoezenierstraat 4 | Sint Andries | +3232326056
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 18:00

One of the cosiest boutiques in Antwerp is Lila Grace. As the name suggests, this shop is a walhalla for feminine and flirty styles, with a vintage feel.

The brands represented are all very affordable, which always makes shopping more fun.

Furthermore, you won’t find these labels splattered all over the city, which will make your find here all the more unique!

The fitting rooms are very spacious and nicely decorated, a nice touch you don’t see that often anymore, and which is a welcome change to the neon-lighted, too-small-to-move spaces of big chain stores.

The friendly ladies in the store will lend you a helping hand with a big smile and lots of stylish tips.

Don’t forget to check out the cute jewelry at the counter!

The window was elected as one of the most beautiful in Antwerp…  Go and check it out!

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Lila Grace | Shopping
Nationalestraat 83 | Sint Andries | +3232890099
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 18:00

There once was a super fun bar in Antwerp: ‘the king kong’, we sat there drinking and laughing every weekend … and then the fun was over. King Kong closed.

But now ‘the king kong’ is back, but as a shop! It’s a great, cosy place with clothes, furniture and music.

Most clothes are for men, but women can also find a few lovely pieces. Brands as Junk Deluxe, Le Fabuleux Marcel de Bruxelles and Le Monde Dumas are represented here.

The owner is very chill and he always has his crazy little jack russell in the shop.

A Must See!

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Magasin Moustache | Music, Shopping
Geuzenstraat 21 | Zuid
Tue – Fri 14:00 – 18:00

I’m a ‘cosmetics’ addict and if you are one like me, this is the shop for you.

You just cannot walk by without going in. From the outside the shop looks so nice and cute. With the Magnolia flowers, the gold walls and the beautiful decorated window. You just feel like a princess.

The owner started the shop because when she was travelling, she always discovered products she liked, but she couldn’t find them here. So she opened Magnolia and sells all this products in her beautiful shop.

My favourite is the ‘Jimmy Jane Scented candle’. When you use it, the wax changes into very soft massage-oil… or the body lotion (I’m not sure who’s it from) with a little honey spoon to take it out. And this, and that, and this… I can go on and on about the lovely things there.

But maybe you just have to go and take a look yourself. It is so worth it! And when you subscribe to their newsletter, twice a year you get a beautiful Magnolia postcard.

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Magnolia | Shopping
Volkstraat 28 | Zuid | +3232570377
Tue – Sat 11:00 – 18:00

The largest worldwide collection of comics in Europe: Mekanik Strip has been the leader for 25 years already!

You can find any comic book, and many gadget, postcards, t-shirts and dolls in here. If you don’t find it here, probably you won’t find it anywhere…

On the first floor you can visit an interesting artgallery, entrance free!

The two owners of the shop, Lin & Jan, will help you like no one else. Her profound knowledge of the comic-universe will guide you to that one thing you badly want to find.

We have several comic-walls in the city, all because of her! Go and visit the shop, you’ll be surprised by all the toys!

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Mekanik Strip | Art & culture, Shopping | Comics workshop € 15.00
Sint Jacobsmarkt 73 | Meir | +3232342347
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 18:30, Sat 10:00 – 18:00

There’s a small and very strange shop in the Aalmoezenierstraat. At first I didn’t know what to think about it. When it just opened the shop was almost empty. There were only a couple of small, intriguing things. I stood there sometimes, after closing time, looking in the window and fascinated by the little things they sell, trying to solve the mystery of their concept.

The shop is owned by two girls Mieke Verbijlen and Veronik Willems. They used to just collect nice things. After a while they thought that some of these things had to be for sale. And so they started this concept: they sell only what they like. It is a shop of paper and wood; a shop with ecological stuff, nothing synthetic, some handmade stuff, decorative things, little toys, a pillow, paperclips, some pencils, paper to put on shelves…

It’s their love for little nice objects that puts soul in this shop. I really love places like that. It’s real and honest, and not commercial. So lovely!

It is a pity but this shop will soon be closed. I don’t know exactly when but I’ll keep you posted! And in the meantime they give a 30% discount.

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Mieke Willems | Shopping
Aalmoezenierstraat 28 | Sint Andries | +3232930080
Tue – Sat 10:00 – 18:00

Every season i go to secondhand store Pardaf to sell a bunch of clothes. While I wait, I look around and every time I find the coolest things, for no money at all!

When you enter the shop, you might think ‘oh my god, all this stupid clothes’, but the art is to look real good and find some great pieces. Don’t forget to look at the clothes behind the desk where people drop off their clothes. That’s were I found my dress and jacket.

Long live Pardaf!

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Pardaf | Shopping
Gemeentestraat 8 | Stationsbuurt | +3232326040
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 18:00

The best place in town  to get Antwerp’s finest cookies!

The delicious and world famous ‘Antwerpse Handjes’ (Antwerp Hands) are for sale right here.

The history about the name ‘Antwerpen’ goes back several centuries and means ‘Hand-werpen’ (hand trowing). That is why we have these great cookies here.

Buy them for friends, because they are a symbol for true friendship, or treat yourself something!

TIP: Nice stuff to give away as a present from your trip…

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Philip’s Biscuit | Shopping, Snacks
Korte Gasthuisstraat 11 | Meir | +3232312660
Mon – Sat 11:00 -18:00

The Colombian owners lucky number is… seven (siete in Spanish). Lucky is exactly how I feel when I enter the shop for the first time. Gorgeous boots, bags, accessories… here I had to find the boots I was looking for. And I did.

Every time I need new shoes, this is the first address I go to. And often I don’t need to go any further… easy!

Also go check the stuff in the back of the store, my favourite are the jewels with pictures of famous painter Frida Kahlo! They also sell very cool cork bags!

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Siete | Shopping
Steenhouwersvest 28 | Sint Andries | +3234857794
Mon & Wed – Sat 11:00 – 18:00, Sun 14:00 – 18:00

There is a little shop in the Volksstraat in Antwerp where they sell strange but beautiful things. When it opened several years ago I didn’t expect that it would be such a success. Now I know why it is still there. It is one of shops that stay true to what they do…

The name of the shop means ‘Stone and Bone’ and that’s exactly what they sell. They have fossils, little skeletons of rodents (and sometimes bigger animals), antlers, pinned butterflies etc. It’s all very decorative and very classy. Of course they don’t sell anything illegal or any endangered species. They have also educational toys that stay true to the core idea of the shop. The result is a very cosy and warm shop where I like to come from time to time.

For example: when I’m completely desperate looking for a nice gift for somebody. A lamp made from a seahedgehog, some pearls of the sea, shells, a tooth of a shark. You can find great things for very little money. I’m enjoying just being there, or looking in the window. Nice owners with an eye for style. And it’s not expensive. That’s how I like it!

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Steen en Been | Shopping
Volkstraat 59 | Zuid | +3232372522
Tue – Sat 11:00 – 18:00

Next to APC (check the APC article) you find Step by Step, and when you enter Step by Step after visiting APC, it feels like you are in Paris in stead of Antwerp. A set of Barbie dolls welcomes you before you walk in the Walhalla of French Brands. You can find Vanessa Bruno, Isabel Marant, Anna Sui, … The shop (first housed at another spot) almost had to close, but an employee and a very good customer saved the shop and reopened it in Lombardenvest. Thank god for that!

I don’t try to go there that often, because it is quite expensive (and you always see something you really really want), but when sales start: I’m there! I have a small size and they always have a lot of trousers in small sizes left. And prices really go down a lot! I once bought a new pair of Notify trousers, for only € 70!

Every sales period I go there, and i must say, my collection is getting bigger and bigger. I smile every time I see all those beautiful (cheap!) clothes in my closet.

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Step by Step | Shopping
Lombardenvest 16 | Meir | +3232131854
Mon – Sat 10:30 – 18:00

Next to Step by Step (check the Step by Step article), you find TAS, a new shop filled with lovely bags and some shoes. And the best thing: it’s not expensive at all! A lot of my friends go there too, and always with success!

The lady of the house makes you feel at home when you enter. I often just hop in after work to chat a little with her.

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TAS | Shopping
Lombardenvest 20 | Meir | +3232318682
Mon – Sat 10:30 – 18:00

If you want to wander among the real citizens of Antwerp, get up early on a Sunday morning and visit the market place. Hear the salesman, shout and show off their goods. Especially some fruit sellers are really funny to watch.

Recently the Antwerp city built a roof over this huge square. The elements of nature won’t interfere with you shopping needs no more!

On Saturdays the market place is about delicious food, vegetables, fruits, exotic items for your meals.
On Sunday you can find general house items, clothes & food.

Worth a visit, worth getting up early!

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Theaterplein | Shopping | Free
Theaterplein | Meir
Sat 07:00 – 16:00, Sun 07:00 – 13:00

Usawa is a non-commercial coffeehouse with an atmosphere of a living room and – most important – it is honest. Usawa means ‘honest’ in Swahili and that’s what this place is all about.

The concept is that you can eat soup or a fresh salad and you can buy almost everything that you see. Do you like the lamp in the corner? Check out the menu and you’ll find the price and you can be sure that it is fair trade, made in Africa (for example) and the person that made it gets an honest share. Do you love the little basket where they put the sugar in? Let’s buy it! They sell wonderful recycled toys, nice jewelry, djembes, African masks, art, furniture, etc. And for the moment they also sell paintings from Ine Van Wesel.

They have great ginger tea and when I’m there I always walk around in the place, looking at things, feeling at home, talking to the owner, a nice woman with a relax attitude.

It’s a funny combination of a shop and a coffeehouse. Not fancy or modern, but honest and cosy. And the owner is a great girl…

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Usawa | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Shopping | Breakfast € 7.50
Kasteelpleinstraat 53 | Zuid | +32497734183
Sun – Fri 10:00 – 18:00