Long Overdue....

* I preface this post by saying that I began writing this in Feb. 2017, due to life, which tends to just happen, I am just publishing this post in July 2017, forgiveness is requested.

I mentioned once before that Nairobi is the land of many malls.  Last weekend after the kids soccer practice we went to check out one of Nairobi's newest malls called Two Rivers Mall.  The mall is set on a huge land complex planned for multi-use development. Construction is ongoing and plans include hotels, housing, and commercial offices.

I was pleased to see ample parking as parking often seems to be an afterthought.  We chose the underground parking and found that finding a parking space was easy enough.  Security is heavy and one must be digitally scanned to enter.   Once inside one may feel as if they have stepped into a mall in the US.  The floor plan is well laid with open walkways and and plenty of light allowing for a bright open feel. 

 There is a nice apparel store at the mall equivalent to a H&M in the US.  The chain is called LC Waikiki and the prices are very reasonable.  I can see myself shopping there regularly for the children.  There was also a nice home goods store on the third floor that had quality items at a reasonable price.  I believe it was called Mr. Price Home.  The highlight of my visit though, was the Carrefour grocery store.  Carrefour is a French grocery chain that now has two locations in Kenya.  I discovered the first a couple of weeks ago and fell in love.

  The Carrefour is similar to a Walmart Super Center in that it is a supermarket as well as a department store all under one roof.   This is not the first of it's type here in Kenya.  One of the older more known supercenters or hypermarkets in Kenya is called Nakumatt.  It has a similar concept, but to me, the feel is very different and this is how:  

(1)The Carrefour has a large, open produce area with a selection of local and imported produce all at reasonable costs. Nakumatt stores generally have smaller produce areas and often have limited produce selection.  However, neither Carrefour nor Nakumatt match Zucchini Market or even Chandarana's variety and quality of produce.  For those of you in the states and abroad, Zucchini Market is specifically a produce market catering to upscale clientele and Chandarana is another grocery store chain.

(2) Upright freezers  for easy viewing of abundant convenience items at reasonable prices.  Nakumatt has freezers you look down into and convenience items are often priced at a premium.

(3) Large cheese and luncheon meat deli, bakery, and prepared food area. The availability of some of these departments are not consistent across all the Nakumatt stores and when available and are smaller (less selection).

(4) The Carrefour offered sale items and reasonable prices for items that I buy regularly. 

(5) Selections are wide and are consistent across both the Carrefour store locations that I've visited where as Nakumatt's inventory varies depending on the store location.

In a nutshell the three big advantages that I feel one will experience while shopping at Carrefour is consistency, value, and a great shopping experience.   As a side note, I tried to take a photo inside the Carrefour grocery store, and a guard stopped me stating they don't allow photos to be taken.  Below  is a photo that I found online.

As stated at the start of this post, several months have passed since I started this post.  I continue to visit Two Rivers Mall regularly.  We frequently shop at Carrefour on Saturdays and visit again for the "food court" area after church on Sundays.   Burger King is one of the dining choices that the kids enjoy as a little taste of home.  They also enjoy watching the water show set to music and playing along the river front. 

For those in Nairobi, have you visited Two Rivers Mall?  What are your thoughts?  For those abroad, does this mall remind you of any near you?

Gotta love those promotions!  This may actually be taken in the Karen Hub location.

The water show on the river in the evening with lights and music

Love the bright open feel.

                             

Mini-water park at Two Rivers Mall.