Missing Your Favorite Big Box Department Store?

If you're missing a store where you can buy everything from toys and clothes to dishes and grocery, look no further. There are two stand-outs in our area that will meet these needs. Ipercoop and Emisfero are both like what we'd call a "Super" Big Box Store...department store with housewares, toys, clothes, etc on one side of the store, then a grocery department on the other side. Both are situated in mall-type settings though, so you also get the benefit of having other types of stores close by when you check out.

{I'm going to go ahead and apologize for a lack of pics in this post. My intent was to take pics of some of the items so you'd have an idea of what was available. Buuuttt...I got fussed at by a security guard who pointed to a large sign that said no picture allowed. He actually wagged his finger at me. Oops! Who would have thought! After that incident, I began looking for the signs at other stores and apparently it's the norm to deny photography inside stores. Allora!}

Back to the stores....

Ipercoop is in Pordenone. You will see it from SS-13. It's quite large. You really can't miss it. Check out the site for the address and the hours. It is open most Sundays, which is rare. The rest of the "mall" area by Ipercoop is limited. A few clothing and other stores, not too much. If I'm going to Ipercoop, it's for Ipercoop, not the mall.

Emisfero is in Zoppola. You will also see it from SS-13. Emisfero's mall area is much better than Ipercoop's mall area. There are several stores, including H & M, Casa {love this home store}, Euronics {electronics store}, and many others. There are also a few restaurants. You can get a lot of shoppinng done here. It is open one Sunday a month, usually the first Sunday. It is frequented by Americans and most of the store workers speak at least a little bit of English.

I don't think I could say which is a better store between Ipercoop and Emisfero. They are very similar to me. Because I like to swing by H & M and Casa too, I tend go to Emisfero more often than Ipercoop even though we have a Coop card {store card to get discounts just like most of our grocery stores in the U.S.}.

If Ipercoop and Emisfero are "Super" Big Box Stores, SME is a regular Big Box Department Store...no groceries. SME only opened about a month ago. It is a chain throughout Italy, as are the other two. In addition to regular homegoods, toys, and electronics, the upperfloor has furniture and kitchen and bathroom fixures. Tucked away behind the kitchens upstairs, is a clearance section as well. Some pretty good discounts on furniture items. SME is beside Ipercoop, just off SS-13. They are closed on Sundays. In the same building as SME, you will find a small cafe for a coffee and a quick bite to eat and a mighty big shoe store. {Yea for shoe stores!}

If you're needing basic home goods that you can't find on base or at a store in your town, you are likely to find it at one of these 3 places. They really have a good variety of housewares, storage containers, rugs, curtains, pet supplies, dishes, toys, cleaning supplies, and just about anything else you need to supply a home.

Enjoy!