Confessions of a Shop-aholic

- By Susie Hirschfield -

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that downtown Puerto has so many thrift shops - or Bazaars as they are called here.

I don't drive; so I would walk up and down the streets, and every few blocks I would come across yet another one. They move constantly and rarely have a name, but they are easy to spot because of their large bins full of mixed clothing. The items on display don't have new labels or tags hanging from them, although it isn't unusual to find something that is brand new.

One that has been here at least as long as I have, and is one of the largest, is Yoguis, on Avenida Oaxaca in the same block as Rossy Taquería and Javier the vet. It has dresses, pants, tops, skirts, Hawaiian shirts, shorts, children's' clothes, jackets and a large selection of sheets and bedspreads. Prices have risen over the years but rarely does anything cost more than 100 pesos. It also has a large pile of miscellaneous items for $10 or $20. Yoguis has now opened a second store on 4ª Poniente, opposite the market, where I just found a beautiful Calvin Klein robe for $20.

Did I mention how many designer labels they carry? Maybe not haute haute couture - although occasionally you can even find a D & G or a Gucci - but most of the clothes come from well known designer brands, presumably bought in bulk from the U.S.

All of the bazaars have changing rooms - often hot and sticky - but, on the positive side, they are usually located in the bathroom so you can make a quick pit stop too.

At press time, there are bazaars on Av. Hidalgo, three or four on 1ª Poniente, another couple on 2ª Poniente and four or five on Avenida Oaxaca.

There are also a bunch on 3ª Poniente between 2ª and 3ª Norte. Most open at 10 or 11.