the shopping remedy

Let's end with an indulgence...

We all love it, it's  therapeutic, and it's fun to recollect – "that's right I got this when I was in Berlin!" Well Berlin is undoubtedly a rising star on the European shopping front – it's  getting better all the time – food, fashion, books,  quirky items on the markets – and it's accessible  price-wise.  

So where do you start? Beyond a doubt the latest and most dynamic shopping is in what was Communist east Berlin! The new Friedrichstrasse has turned the tables on down town west Berlin – the  former "showcase of capitalism." Here the old Huguenot area of the city appropriately boasts the French Galleries Lafayette, and international names such as Donna Karan and Gucci.  

The Galleries Lafayette offer three well appointed floors of fashion and an excellent food court which surround the interior glass atrium formed by two impressive glass cones intersecting the full height of the building. The food court is the place to go in the area for a variety of savoury delights from seafood to grill, and then the pastries!  

Nearby on Friedrichstrasse are two of many very popular and affordable H&M stores for men's and women's fashion. H&M are just about everyone's shopping secret for the latest look in jeans, shirts, skirts, and underwear onto sunglasses. (A Swedish success story which has expanded to NY.)

Towards the S-Bahn is the Cultural Department Store "Dussman." Worthwhile for its extensive music  selection and three floors of books – including an  excellent english section on the 3rd floor for novels, Berlin history and politics.  

A kilometre north in the Scheunenviertel of Mitte the youthful energy of the city is evident as an enclave of boutique designer (i.e. Thatchers), hip second hand, and a smattering of decent shoe stores (i.e. Trippen Shoes) has taken hold amongst the bars, cafes and galleries surrounding the golden dome of the Synagogue, the court yards of the Hackesche Höfe, and by the British Council. Also walk along Tucholsky and August Strasse, Neue- and Alte Schönhauser Strasse, saunter, window shop, and possibly buy!  

Markets are also a key feature of shopping life for Berliners which is fun to partake in for arts and crafts, Soviet memorabilia, War books and medals, Prussian porcelain, prints, furs, jackets... it’s an adventure of discovery – unique items of an era in cases.  The weekend market at the Strasse 17. Juni before the  Tiergarten.

Shopping tips:

The Week-end Flea Market Tiergarten

    * Fleamarket, Antiques, Arts & Crafts
    * Open every Saturday and Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm
    * Strasse des 17.Juni,
    * Berlin-Charlottenburg   
    * S-Bahn Tiergarten,  Ernst-Reuter-Platz (U2)

Sony Style Store

The European flagship store with all the latest.

    * Open: Mon – Sat 10 am – 8 pm
    * Sony Center at Potsdamer Platz
    * Potsdamer Str. 4
    * Berlin-Tiergarten   
    * S & U-Bahn  Potsdamerplatz (U2)

Adidas Originals the best of Adidas

Includes newly produced 'vintage' merchandise, acceptable for streetwear  diehards.

    * Open: Mon – Sat 10 am – 8 pm
    * Münzstrasse 13/15
    * Berlin-Mitte
    * Weinmeisterstr. (U8)

Dussmann – the cultural department store

English & German books, CDs & DVDs (extensive classical department!)

    * Open: Mon – Sat 10 am – 10 pm
    * Friedrichstr. 90,
    * Berlin-Mitte
    * S &  U-Bahn Friedrichtrasse (U6)

Galleries Lafayette,  Quartier 206

    * Open: Mon – Sat 10 am – 8 pm
    * Friedrichstr. 67,
    * Berlin-Mitte
    * Französische Strasse (U6)

H&M

Clothes and affordable fashion.

    * Open: Mon – Fri 9 am – 8 pm, Sat 9 am – 4 pm
    * Friedrichstr. 68,
    * Berlin-Mitte
    * Französische Strasse (U6)


Tips: What to shop when in Berlin?

    * Cosmonaughts helmet  from the black market at Checkpoint Charlie
    * Former GDR & Soviet uniforms, medals and military hardware at  Checkpoint Charlie
    * Unique antique finds from Germany's epic eras at the weekend markets
    * A Trabant model car at souvenier or toy shops
    * Prussian Porcelain, the KPM mark – established by Frederick the Great – world famous
    * A Berlin retro track suit top with city emblem found at  2nd Hand stores i.e. Kastanienallee Prenzlauerberg