Village Market - Kenya

HistoryGlass art work in The Village Market
In 1992, two Kenyan brothers, Hamed and MehrazThere are several outlets that specialize in African
Ehsani had the idea of constructing a shopping andartifacts and other Kenyan crafts. Moreover, every
recreation mall within Nairobi. Their objective was toFriday, the shopping center hosts the Maasai Market
provide a shopping and recreation experience for– a cultural bazaar that brings together around 400
Gigiri's residents which include diplomats, expatriatesartisans and craftsmen who specialize in an array of
and tourists living and/or working within the Nairobi'sethnic relics. The African pieces range from
Diplomatic District and its immediate environs.soapstone, fibres, wooden and iron sculptures and
Construction began in April 1992 with 10 shops. Threebatiks and paintings.
years later they opened The Village Market's gates toRecreation and entertainment
the public. Today (February 2009) the complex coversThe mall has a Nu Metro Cinema hall, water slides, a
over 225,713 square feet (20,969.4 m2) of leasingmini golf course and bowling alleys also known as
space; three levels high, with more than 150 outlets. ItSuperbowl. Village Market's recreation zones also
offers a variety of recreational facilities, including ahosts various supervised play areas for children. During
cinema and an Olympic size bowling alley. The latestweekends, and holidays, The Village Market invites
addition to the mall is a 5 star hotel with a 142 guestmusicians, violinists, pianists and regular professional
rooms and suites.music bands for entertainment.
 Activities and events
Traditional dance at The Village Market
Inside the Village MarketThe Village Market hosts many activities annually
The Village Market has outlets offering products andincluding weekly art exhibitions in the mall's exhibition
services of different categories. There are over 35halls. Ladies Day and Car Boot sale are among the
shops selling local and designer wear, fashion,activities and events held at the complex.
accessories and footwear. Nakumatt supermarketRegular promotions
which stocks household products, electronicThe Village Market, frequently runs promotions to
equipments and furniture among other products. Thereward shoppers and visitors all through the year. The
mall is also home to a Diplomat exclusive supermarketBonus Card program is one of these promotions which
whose commodities are exempt from duties and theis supposed to reward loyal shoppers with redeemable
VAT tax.points.
Services
The Village Market has an outdoor Food Court andThe Village Market provides other vital services. From
other restaurants offering local African recipes as wellhealth care to banking, the mall has 5 banks, and
as international recipes. The restaurants are open dailyATMs to boot. The complex also has an investment
and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. The shoppingfirm, a Forex bureau, a post office and a DHL center.
mall offer beauty and relaxation products and servicesThere are also several tours and travel companies
and a health and fitness center which also has yogathat make tour arrangements to various destinations.
and dance classes.Also to be found in the complex is a driving school, a
The Village Market has handicap accessible restrooms,tyre center as well as a car dealership. The Village
a Baby Room for nursing mothers and a prayer areaMarket is also has a veterinary and dental clinic
reserved for visitors and shoppers. The mall isalongside a pharmacy and a dry cleaning service.
accessible through 5 gates with 700 on-site parkingTribe – the Village Market hotel
spaces including handicap parking. A Customer ServiceA hotel room in The Village Market
desk is located on the 2nd level of the complex forTribe is the Village Market hotel. Tribe is situated
shoppers, tenants and visitors seeking any information.adjacent to the shopping center with 142 guestrooms
The complex is open daily through the week andand suites. The Village Market hotel is run by the
weekend as well as holidays from 7am to 11pm.Africa Pride group of hotels and lodges from South
Arts and craftsAfrica.