Shops in Tamarin (or nearby) for food, household goods & toys?

On public holidays shops are open, but close early. In general there are no days when everything is closed.

In the West, you have London Way in Black River. Monday to Thursday is 8.30-19.00, Friday and Saturday 8.30 - 19.45 Sunday snd pub hola 8.30 - 12.45

There's also shoprite in tamarin, more hazy on the hours but it's generally 9.00-19.00 and closes at 17.00 even on Sunday and pub hols.

Monoprix at Cascavelle is 9-8 early in the week, then stretching to 9-9 later in the week and Saturdays, Sunday's it's open until 17.00, not 100% sure on public holidays but should be open half a day at least.

Food Lovers' market is more premium and selective, but is normally open very early in the morning (6.30am onwards) until 19.00 and half days on pub holidays, but it's more for fruit and veg, sweets, snacks, takeaway hot meals and coffee takeaway. On the main road in black River.

As far as kids toys, I find the good quality toys quite expensive, so I hope your kids are past the destructive path unlike mine.

Lotus D'or has a shop in Black River (small one) and Trianon (big one), Meem have shops in Cascavelle and Grand Baie La Croisette (in the north), mzouzou have shops at Cascavelle and Bagatelle Shopping Mall. There's also Island Kidz on St Jean Road in Quatre Bornes, we came here very minimalist and bought cots, pushers etc from this shop, they were very helpful. I've heard of a toy store in Port Louis that is apparently quite good, but never been there personally if someone else knows it first hand, I try to avoid PL at all costs

That is good to know, thanks vasoov.

Thanks gronk007 for this information - I'm guessing that London Way, Shoprite and Monoprix are all just for food shopping?

Do any of these shops mentioned sell pillows and bedding (sheets, pillow cases etc)?

Going to have a think re toys....

Thanks so much again :-)

Sophie

Pillow cases and bedding perhaps at Woolworths at Cascavelle.

Great, thanks!

If you have space, I would bring pillows at least - I haven't found any decent ones here! I wouldn't imagine you'll need quilts etc, especially if you're living in Tamarin - even in the coldest months, we only sleep with a sheet. In my experience, there are two extremes with shopping; the really expensive but good quality stuff, and the cheap poor quality. I haven't found any middle ground, but maybe I'm not looking in the right places. We bought sheets from a place called Manjoo (a brand that is sold in the large supermarkets) and within a couple of months there was already a hole in the fitted sheet.

London is a supermarket but also sells a lot of other stuff - crockery, glasses, toys, stationery, etc and there's a shop in the same gallery that sells beach stuff like flippers, towels, cheap croc type shoes. The prices are pretty reasonable compared to other supermarkets.

That's all great to know, thanks anthollis.

I'm just trying to find out now whether we can take our pillows onboard with us with Air Mauritius...

I just thought of something else worth knowing - English novels and children's books are available from a shop called Bookcourt at exactly the same prices you'd pay in the UK. I bought a Kindle before moving here as I was worried they would be really expensive (like when I lived in Paris) but was pleasantly surprised.

Ooh, that's great to know for the kids' books - thanks!

Hi. Where do go food shopping? Are there any Woolworths or Pick n Pay in Mauritius like in South Africa? Perhaps a Carrefour? We are currently in UK planning to move next year. We found food prices in SA expensive if earning in Rands. Is Mauritius more expensive?

Wjrtecz you buy mattresses and are theygood euLogy? Would someone know how much is a double mattress is?


Thank you

Wjrtecz you buy mattresses and are theygood euLogy? Would someone know how much is a double mattress is?


Thank you

Oh goodness me  my previous message is a mess.  I would like to know if you can get good quality mattresses and are they expensive.

Pick and Pay is now Monoprix like in France. There's one in Cascavelle. There are lots of Winners, two big Jumbo supermarkets (Phoenix and Riche Terre) and 3 Super U (Belle Rose, grand bay and flacq) they sell a lot of casino and Carrefour products. There's also shoprite and intermart. We live in Tamarin and have a London and a shoprite. The meat is fresh and reasonably priced in shoprite but for everything else we prefer London. Woolworths here only sells clothes and home stuff.

There are mattress shops all over the place but I've never had to buy one as our 2 rented houses already had them. In our old house they were brand new and very comfortable so it's possible to get good quality ones here.

Thank you Antholis for all the info above

Great news, thanks for all that anthollis :-)

Don't really have any answers about your particular questions.  However we are moving to Tamarin in March too, would be nice to keep in contact and find out more as you will have been there for a few months by the time we arrive.  Have you guys bought a home there ?

No problem ElaineO. No we are renting a house. Feel free to ask me any questions once we get settled there :-)

Hi Regrading quality bedding etc:
I shipped our bedding here to arrive a few days before we did as it was good quality but what a waste of shipping money spent

There is a Company here that makes and supplies all the 4 and 5 star hotels not only in Mauritius but all over the World too - the quality is high class - lots of different types i.e. Percale, 350 thread Egyptian cotton etc

They also supply John Lewis, Marks and Spencer's - usually in these shops wrapping too.

There are a few shops on the Island, but 2 or 3 times a year they have the factory sale - this is what most of us wait for, can be 2nd's, or a mark on it, or just too much made and all for a quarter of the shop price, even though the shop prices are very reasonable for the quality.

The factory sales get very busy and you have to rummage but usually a few of us girls go together and then have some food afterwards, we always come away with bags full of bedding, pillows, towels, bathrobes etc all the things hotels use.

The Company is called Associated Textiles, their factory is in St.Pierre, the factory has a year round shop prices same as their other shops in Tamarin plus Forbach - their website contains all opening details etc
Their FB page is: Associated Textile Services Ltd
Their website is: http://www.assotex.com/

Next due sale is normally in November - just keep an eye out on their FB page

Hi
Regrading Mattresses.

Both of our rented homes have come complete with new mattresses, there are many places you can buy them from, prices are quite good too.

1, Kalachand mattress shop at Trianon - FB Page: Kalachand Bedding World and website: http://www.kalachandmattress.com/

Also there is an excellent Mattress cleaning Company that many of my friends use. FB page: Nickelnet Cleaning Services  - Many people book these guys to clean the mattresses in their rented homes if not new ones.

That bedding, linen, pillow place looks INCREDIBLE!!! Thank you so much for sharing :-)

Hi again

1. Books - there are many shops around the Island selling books although I have to say some are quite expensive especially ones from the UK I have found. There are quite a few charity shops around who also sell 2nd hand books, also I go to a book club and that is a good way to get more books. I have to say I tend to use my kindle an awful lot.

2. Most shops will be open until at least 12 on a public holiday, plus there is a local supermarket in Black River where you can get the basics. When you come from the airport, stop at Jumbo shopping centre on your way home, you will pass it, there is a large supermarket in there plus plenty of other shops.

3, Regarding pillows, my friends kids brought theirs onto an Air Mauritius flight with no problems, I packed my feather pillows into my suitcase using one of those vacumn bags that you can buy so cheaply from the pound shops in the UK, you put your pillows into them and use a vacumn/hoover to suck all the air out, makes them so small, then when you arrive as soon as you open them they spring back up.

4. Toys - spoken to a friend with young kids and she says quality toys are expensive here, so maybe just to be on the safe side and as its your children's first birthday's in Mauritius bring your kids toys although bet they don't use them much as they will be too busy playing on the beach/pool

Thanks again Rosiewestie :-)

1) I'm such a massive bookworm so I'll just be using my Kindle I think - also do let me know if your book club lets in newcomers, I set a book club up in London and will miss it!!

2) That's great to know for food shopping - I think we'll get to our house, drop luggage off, leave the kids with one of us while the other heads out to get basics for the first few days. (My parents will also be with us for a few weeks at the start so they can help too!)

3) All good to know - I think we'll try both those tactics for our pillows then.

4) I think we'll bring some toys with us, and buy bigger, outdoor toys there. And yes, I'm sure my water babies will never play with their toys as they'll be in the pool / at the beach ;-)

FranglaiseMummy wrote:

Thanks again Rosiewestie :-)

1) I'm such a massive bookworm so I'll just be using my Kindle I think - also do let me know if your book club lets in newcomers, I set a book club up in London and will miss it!!

2) That's great to know for food shopping - I think we'll get to our house, drop luggage off, leave the kids with one of us while the other heads out to get basics for the first few days. (My parents will also be with us for a few weeks at the start so they can help too!)

3) All good to know - I think we'll try both those tactics for our pillows then.

4) I think we'll bring some toys with us, and buy bigger, outdoor toys there. And yes, I'm sure my water babies will never play with their toys as they'll be in the pool / at the beach ;-)

1. I must say book clubs here are totally different than the book clubs in the UK But plenty of books though I am sure we will be able to fit you in
2. If you arriving on a public holiday and you arrive at the airport at 8am, maybe 1 hour to get through passport etc then a normally 1 hour drive to Tamarin but as public holiday could be a bit longer as lots of local families from the centre of the Island tend to go to the beaches on a publiic holiday so roads can be busier - bear in mind most shops close at 12, I would stop off at Jumbo at Phoenix roundabout, big place, kids can grab a drink and you run around the supermarket Actually I think Shoprite is open most of the day on Public hols but not sure. Maybe bring teabags and coffee with you anyway.
3. Give me a shout when you arrive and then I can add you to the local groups on FB for the West - lots of info, buying/selling/events etc

1) Fab! Thank you :-) Now I'm very curious to know in which way they are different....!!
2) We arrive on Saturday 31st October - I think the two days after are public holidays but not that day, is that right? Also we are freaks in that neither of us drinks tea or coffee (I know!), so no problem there ;-)
3) Thanks so much! I'm already on a couple of FB mums groups for Mauritius but I'm sure any others can be helpful too!

Black River Mums will be the must-join FB page living in the West..

Shoprite is open until 1700 on pub hols, our savior on public holidays...

I'm sure Rosiewestie can elaborate on the book clubs lol my wife is in a "book club" and let's just say that they kick off early Thursday evenings and they finish reading Friday morning

I hear there are some trivia evenings as well, perhaps Rosiewestie can let you know of some trivia nights when you get here

That's one of the FB groups I'm in and it seems to be great :-)

Ooh, Shoprite sounds handy!

That sounds like my kind of book club ;-) The one we have in London is a "Book / Wine Club"....

I like the sound of trivia evenings too :-) Getting very excited about our arrival in just over 3 weeks' time!

I like the sound of trivia evenings too. Can any ton give me some more info on that? Thanks!

It would be good to see you at a trivia evening anthollis :-)

I would be I retested in the book club a d the trivia evenings.  It's a good way to meet new people as I'm going to be a newbie in a few weeks
Excitement is setting in.

Food Lovers do baking on site and there is also a good butchers next door.  In the same parade there is a beautician (just in case you want to pamper yourself) and she does manicure/pedicures as well as other treatments.
Shoprite is good for most things. Monoprix has some makes of canned goods which you may prefer.  Their fruit and veg is sometimes fresher.
I moved in August and have found that you can find most food here (including Marmite if you are a fan).  The only thing I have found disappointing are milk and cream.
There is a Woolworths (not like the ones we used to have - more similar to a BHS in the UK) in Cascavelle and they have a small range of linens - sheets (easy care), bathmats and towels plus pillows (but not feather/down ones).
I have seen toy shops around, but cannot comment on what they have as I don't have kids so have not used them.

Thanks so much for all this info jkev - although my French husband will be devastated about the Marmite, I think he was hoping to escape it ;-)

There are many shopping malls all around the island. Like you, who are going to live in tamarin,  you can do your shopping at the cascavelle shopping mall... it will be great fun...
Yes...

Great, thanks!

FranglaiseMummy wrote:

That's one of the FB groups I'm in and it seems to be great :-)

Ooh, Shoprite sounds handy!

That sounds like my kind of book club ;-) The one we have in London is a "Book / Wine Club"....

I like the sound of trivia evenings too :-) Getting very excited about our arrival in just over 3 weeks' time!

Hello,

I'd be so happy to join a book club too.I live in flic-en-flac and I work in Tamarin.
Concerning shops, everything has already been mentioned. Pillows, bedsheets either Worrlworths in Cascavelle or AssociatedTextiles in Cascavelle . 2 Kids toys in Cascavelle.For mattresses you'll have to go to Quatre-Bornes or Rose-Hill.

anthollis wrote:

I like the sound of trivia evenings too. Can any ton give me some more info on that? Thanks!

me too, I'd like to know what a trivia evening is.

barbara torrance wrote:

I would be I retested in the book club a d the trivia evenings.  It's a good way to meet new people as I'm going to be a newbie in a few weeks
Excitement is setting in.

Hello Barbara, we can meet when you are in Mauritius, I live in Flic-en-Flace we are the same age and I am separated. I work full time but i finish rather early. Looking forward to meet you.

Hello Gene78,
I would love to meet you too.  I am arriving on Friday so once I'm settled maybe we could meet up.

Bye for now