ABOUT THE LIVING LIFE IN COSTA RICA BLOG

I (Vicki Skinner - aka "THE Sarong Goddess") created this blog in 2007 to share DETAILED Finds•Lists•Info•Events•Experiences to help bring more EASE to people living in, visiting or thinking of moving to Costa Rica since DETAILS are NOT easy to find!
I’m NOT an expert (an "expert" 2 ME knows 101%-NOT me). I believe in sharin info•helping where I can! And with over 2,200 entries, so some things might be out of date, so if you find old info PLEASE help each other by getting the updated info & sharing it with me to revise. At least you have some basic info to get you started.
VOLUNTEER TO HELP:
Better yet - do you have extra time on your hands & looking for a volunteer project? Since this blog is a labor of love & RARELY does anyone share a donation (even though MANY have said how much it's helped them), I could REALLY use help updating info. Spanish speakers ESPECIALLY welcome since my VicLish can be somewhat limited at times!!

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ANY size DONATION is APPRECIATED!
(see below other ways to show your appreciation)
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Thursday, September 2, 2010

KITCHENWARE • KITCHEN GOODS • HOUSEHOLD • RESTAURANT • CHACHKIS SUPPLIES in Costa Rica - TIPS, JopCo, Pequeno Mundo+

Where to find HOUSEHOLD and KITCHEN Supplies in
Costa Rica
For Home or Restaurants or Hotels

LARGEST SELECTION OF KITCHEN SUPPLIES
TIPS 
BUT - they are the MOST EXPENSIVE


CHEAPEST PLACE
to find everything from dishes (not a large selection)


PEQUENO MUNDO
 


I think Pequeño Mundo has some of THE LOWEST prices I've found in Costa Rica for household goods.  It's kind of like the American Big Lots or the old time Pic N Save (are they still around??) where it's always different (ok, so that's how Costa Rica is overall) and most of it's the cheap quality "Made in China" stuff, but you can get LOTS of things from
Housewares•many things you need to set up a new Home•Kitchen•Hogar (though cheap quality) from dishes sets for under $20 to decorative items • Hardware•Ferretería • Food•Groceries•Abarrotes • Furniture (in the larger ones mainly) • Clothes for Kids•Niños • Babies•Bebes • Women•Damas • Men•Caballeros • Shoes•Calzado.  In "Summer" season - tents/beach things.  They're even good for starting a restaurant as you can get SOOOO MANY things there!!!!!


For more pictures, locations and details see my post at:
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2014/08/PequenoMundoCR.html




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MY FAV (and a HUGE selection - MANY at GREAT prices!!)
ALISS
AlissCR.comfacebook.com/pages/Aliss/115578825139736
I have LOTS of pictures at:
SarongGoddess.com/Other/AlissDepartmentStore

Costa Rica doesn't have many "department stores" but Aliss is MY FAV!!! They have many COOL/funky/unique things from bedding to furniture for inside and Outdoor•Patio Furniture, fountains to kitchen chachkee as well as clothing (downstairs) at decent prices and a GOOD SELECTION!! Every day of the week they have discounts on different types of items, too. Unique things I've found at Alyss - these really neat candle trees - a 3 1/2' metal shaped tree with 34 candle holders in it for just $16 each (in the states that would have been about $70+), sort of orange dishes with purple shiny stones in them (VERY festive!!), a multi-colored shower curtain and cool towels (including bright ORANGE ones!!), bright sheets (only one set as now I'm ordering them online and bringing them back on those trips though one day I'm going to try mailing them), rugs, etc., a bamboo room divider, rattan placemats and LOTS MORE!!). I've also found their things like kitchen chachkees like spatulas, serving spoons, etc. cheaper like I've found things overall there. THE BEST place I've found for the COOLEST Christmas decorations (which to me can make for FUN household decorative things year-round!!)

LOCATIONS:
Cariari (2-239-1371 • 2-278-5917 • 2-278-5119) - LOCATION:  Real Cariari Mall - off the main highway to the airport
Multiplaza del Este - Curridabat  -  2-283-0164
Escazu - 2-289-7579 - LOCATION:  just south of MultiPlaza (where the old bowling alley used to be)
San Ramon:  2-445-1493
TerraMall - 2-278 -5117  -  LOCATION: the radial that takes you to San Pedro.

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BIGGEST SELECTION - BUT - MOST EXPENSIVE!!

TIPS  
(http://Facebook.com/TipsCostaRica   •   http://TipsCR.com  
2-253-2100 / 2-220-0484-repair / ventas@TipsCR.com  / ServicioAlCliente@TipsCR.com  / arojas@TipsCR.com)  AntonioRojas ARojas@TipsCR.com


PICTURES I'VE TAKEN THERE SHOWING SOME PRODUCTS:
SarongGoddess.com/Other/TIPS

A WONDERFUL, HUGE store FILLED with all sorts of chachkis ("stuff") for personal / home use, Restaurant / Hotels / Parties and Industrial use.  Everything from CAST IRON and STAINLESS STEEL pots and pans, industrial and home size APPLIANCES (including Fryers, Juicers, Freezers, B'bques, Hoods, ++), BAKING SUPPLIES (everything for candy and cake molds, spices, colored sugars, meringue powder, baking chocolate, cake pans, fondue pots, to fondants), Plates, Glassware, Gourmet products, Wedding Supplies, Bar supplies, Waffle Makers, Catering Service items, Cleaning supplies and accessories. 
BUT - $$$$$$$$$$$$!!!!


They now have a few goodies for Raw Foodies like Food Dehydrators, Power Blenders • Juicers (like VitaMix's and industry strength ones) and MORE but they're MEGA $$$$!!!!!!!!  


Sometimes they hold COOKING CLASSES (I've heard they range from 15,000 to $50 for 2 classes - plus supplies [guess you must buy the pans, etc???) 

And Tips also sells Party things like Chocolate Fountain, buffet trays, Chaffing servers, Serving Trays, Cotton Candy machines, Hot Dog machines, BIG party size POPCORN MAKERS and MORE!!  

FYI - they ain't cheap but if you put a $$ value on your time and gas to run around to find things - especially that aren't the more basic things you find in CR, I think they're WELL worth the "investment"!!!!

LOCATIONS
MAIN - PAVAS (2-543-2100 - English-9) - 
        LOCATION:  TipsCR.com/esp/contactenos.php  -  125 meters West of Jack’s - near Amnet 
                  (OR  -  300 meters South of the U.S. Embassy -
                  OR  -  Pavas-250 meters East and 400 meters South of McDonald's)  
LIBERIA (2-668-1058) - LOCATION:  Complejo Solarium #1-F (in front of the Liberia Airport)
SAN JOSE  (2-221-9564)  - LOCATION:  Downtown - Avenida 2nd and Calle 4 y 6.  
SAN PEDRO  (2-280-5857)  -  LOCATION:  50 meter West/Oeste from Mas x Menos.
PANAMA CITY  (507-264-9443 • 507-202-0650) - Monday-Friday 8:30am-6pm. Saturday 9:30am-3:30pm
HOURS for ALL:  Monday-Friday 8:30am-6pm. Saturday 9am-6pm.  


Plus they have reps in various areas outside of San Jose  -



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Jopco is a WONDERFUL wholesale store that's open to the public selling   
HOTEL and RESTAURANT SUPPLIES • EQUIPMENT
often at GOOD prices and higher quality!

APPLIANCES:  Everything from a Commercial Refrigerators, Gas Appliances (Range, Griddle, Charbroiler, Salamander, Convection Oven, Bakery Convection Oven, Commercial Fryer), Fryers, Pressure Cookers (15.5 to 41.5 quart), Commercial Mixer (20 quart), Heavy-Duty Juice Extractor, Drink Mixers, Conveyor Toaster, Blenders (Commercial to Hi-Power and up to 1 gallon), heavy-duty Food Processors, Meat Slicer, Meat Gringers and Sausage Stuffer, Bar Juicer, Belgian Waffle Maker, Immersion Blender, Pasta Cooker (20 quarts)Soup Warmers, Water Boiler, Rice Cooker (up to 50 cups), Juicers, Freezers and MORE!!  Many INDUSTRIAL strength things!

KITCHEN SUPPLIES:  Stock Pots (Stainless Steel - 3.5 to 50 quart and Aluminum - up to 60 quarts), Wok (up to 16"), Dutch Oven (5 quarts), Fajita Servers, B'bques, those big flexible Kitchen Faucets, Cooking Sheets, Spring Form Cake Pan, Pan Rack, Sauce Presses, Cut Resistant Kevlar Gloves, Cold Work Table, Coffee Urns (40-100 cups), Marinade Injectors, Pasta Machines, Cake Decorating Set, Pie and Cake Cutter, Insulated Pizza and Delivery bags, Scales, professional quality Knives, Ballers and Zesters, Candy and Deep Fry Thermometers, Hoods.  They carry LOTS of STAINLESS STEEL kitchen chachkis (this was the ONLY place I was able to find large Stainless Steel serving spoons withOUT slits!!), a tall stainless steel cake plate for around $10 and I got sturdy steak knives for about $1 each.  

RESTAURANT and BAR SUPPLIES:  Anti-Fatigue Floor Mats, Cutlery Bins and Racks, Glasses, Plates, Catering Supplies, Tray Stands, Trolley, Double Fold Menu Covers, Chafing Dishes, Chafer, Bar Supplies, Chrome Shelving, Vacuum Sealer Bags ++.

CLEANING SUPPLIES:  36 quart Mop Bucket with Wringer [on wheels), Heavy duty Dolly, 24" Floor Squeegee+.

BATHROOM:  Things for the Bathroom like TOWELS, LIQUID SOAP DISPENSERS (these are SOOOO IMPORTANT to have - to show your love for Mother Earth / the Environment, Hand Dryer, Blow Dryer+++!!

BEDDING  -  Last time I was there they had some higher thread count (I think 400 tc was their max and they advertise "Hotel Grade" though I don't know what that is) - higher quality sheets as well (HARD to find that in Costa Rica as your average sheets here seem to not even have a thread count on them).  I bought 50/50 (cotton/poly) mattress pads for around $10.50 for Twins a few years ago.
And LOTS MORE!!  

If you pay CASH - you can save even more!!!

If you’re desiring quality at decent prices - JopCo is MY #1 choice!!   

HOURS:  
Monday - Friday - 8am-6pm 

ENGLISH SPEAKERS:  
Gustavo (he speaks GOOD English and is part of the Jop family - tell him Vicki sent ya!!) and if he's not there - ask for Juan Carlos and Alvaro

CONTACT:
(2-215-3545 / http://JopCo.net  /  jopcocr@racsa.co.cr

LOCATION:  
ESCAZU (Guachipelin) - From the now little "intersection" (it used to be a little rotunda) on the North side of the Pista from MultiPlaza-Escazu/West - take the North/West road.  Go down 800 mts. (passing MuebleAmerica) and it’s in an warehouse complex (Complejo Attica) on the Right that also has KFC’s offices.  It’s Bodega #2 on the left side.

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WalMart
facebook.com/WalmartCostaRica
WalMart has LOTS of Household things - MANY at REALLY CHEAP prices!!!


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PriceSmart
Details at:
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/09/PriceSmartCR.html
I have LOTS of pictures at:
SarongGoddess.com/Other/PriceSmart
PriceSmart has some kitchen goodies (some not so cheap and some GREAT deals) including the NutriBullet!!


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CEMACO
Cemaco.co.cr  •  Facebook.com/CemacoCR
Cemaco has quite a few Kitchenware and Household choices as well.


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SIMAN
Facebook.com/AlmacenesSimanCR  •  Siman.com
A 1/2 decent selection but the sure seem to be LOTS more $$$$ than the other stores for the same/similar things.

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Do YOU know of other locations to find 
Restaurant and Hotel Supplies?
Please email me with the details at:



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Looking for FURNITURE:
LivingLifeInCostaRica.info/2009/05/furniture-places-to-find-furniture-in.html



CAST IRON POTS & PANS
LivingLifeInCostaRica.info/2015/09/CastIronPotsPansCR.html

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Has this DETAILED information been helpful to you - brought more ease into your life, saved you time and/or $$$/¢¢¢¢?

Please consider showing your appreciation for and helping keep this detailed blog going by making a
DONATION

"HOW DO I DONATE TO YOU VICKI??"
You can do it via PAYPAL (you do NOT need to have a PayPal account.  Just give your credit card information and send it to me at
LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com) -

or send me an Amazon.com Gift Card!!!

ANY amount is appreciated since this is my ONLY source of "income" and VERY FEW people give back/donate!!!

Go to the top LEFT column of the blog for details.


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