Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Heard from a local shop owner this morning that Starling are opening a supermarket opposite Simena Hotel.

Interesting to hear but I doubt I will use it much even though it will be almost walking distance for me. I already drive past 2 Starlings to shop at Ileli and I will probably continue. Ileli sell things that nobody else does and if I go there for one thing I may as well do all my shopping there.

The exception will be Hos-Bes who are the only shop selling Haagen Dazs Cookies & Cream to which I am addicted.

Sounds good to me puppylover, though not a Karsiyaka resident, am sure a lot of residents will be over the moon, they sometimes have some very good offers, and handy being so close, but like most people I tend to use all the Supermarkets as they all have their own special points.

JBA

The exception will be Hos-Bes who are the only shop selling Haagen Dazs Cookies & Cream to which I am addicted.

Sshh....now everyone will know!!

Barbieb

Yes, I too tend to shop around but would like to continue supporting the smaller family run shops when I can.
I'm more impressed that we are also getting a petrol station here, which will be a bonus.

Puppylover now that will be good, cannot believe there is no petrol station that end, I am fortunate living on the outskirts of Alsancak/Karaoglanoglu so benefit from all as am central, but yes also visit the family run shops, and admit Ileli is one of my favourites.

Petrol Station ?? Where? & when.

We never go to Starling anymore since they tried to rip us off. This is the one near Green Garage, they had a freezer with a big sign saying "Everything in here - HALF PRICE". We selected a pack of Iceland cod fillets priced marked and took them to the till. I forget the price now as it was several years ago but I had noticed that most of the other supermarkets had the same packs on sale at the marked price. The cashier read the barcode and the price came up on the till as was written on the pack. I told her that must be wrong as the advert said it was half price. Eventually the manager came and stated that the printed price was in fact half price and he totally ignored the fact that everyone else was selling the item at the same price. So his special offer was in fact nothing of the sort and we have never been back since. Illeli is by far and away the best supermarket, we think and we do the bulk of our shopping there.

I would go to Ilelli far more than I do, if it wasn't for the fact that it seems to be the worst laid out shop possible. The items that are displayed with others that are of no connection to each other, is legendary and as for the crowded aisles, they are the worst I've come across. Stock rotation, particularly in the chilled/frozen section leaves a lot to be desired. However, if there is something I want and I can't get in any where else, then Ilellis is the place to go.

Sophie, that's exactly where we differ. I love the quaintness of Ileli. The staff are so friendly and they have personalities unlike the automatons at most supermarkets. The crowded aisles are just a chance for a smile and a hello, and you soon get to know the layout and where to find things. I would certainly prefer it to (say) the Alsancak Lemar where the aisles are so far apart it's like oases in the desert and it just seems bare and uninteresting - if I miss something there it's too far to go back and get it.

JBA

Agree the staff in Ileli are by far the friendliest and most helpful.
Always get a smile and a hello when we go in there and they always do their best to help when/if we can't find anything and also the manager in the office is able to help with translation if needed.


gilly123

I was told by a friend who works for the Belediyesi several months ago and he mentioned it was going to be very near where I live.

Directly opposite where the turning to the Olive Press is there is a fruit orchard. Just by the dolmus stop where the metal crash barriers are, people noticed (and was also reported in Cyprus Today) that new lamp posts had been installed (initially facing away from the road, but now correctly positioned ) There has been ongoing work where some of the orchard has been chopped down and electric and manholes are being installed. From what I was told, that is where the new petrol station is going to be situated.

Thanks puppylover not far from us then as we are seaside just before that after Jessics. I can remember when there was nothing on the run to Karsiyaka once past Lapta We will be very civilized soon

gilly123

Might bump into you at the petrol station....or Starling!!