The 80s saw the first shopping centres built: the Sugár at Örs Vezér tere still stands and was renovated and updated just a few years ago.
This was followed by the Skála in Buda's XI district and also the Skála Metró opposite Nyugati station, as well as Florián in district III. These were shopping malls - 80s style!
This was followed by the Skála in Buda's XI district and also the Skála Metró opposite Nyugati station, as well as Florián in district III. These were shopping malls - 80s style!
SUGÁR: opened in 1980, this was Hungary's first western-style shopping centre.
The Skála Metró was opened in 1976 - Budapest's first department store.
The Budai Skála was in district XI at the terminus of the 4-6 tram (now the Allee plaza).
There were a few other large stores which were familiar to everyone in Budapest -
The Úttörő Áruház - The Pioneer Department Store - was near Ferenciek tere on Rákóczi út. It supplied all the paraphernalia required for children who, by default, belonged to this communist youth organisation. Pioneer uniform could be purchased here together with other school equipment.
Domus was another - in reality, the other - large furniture shop in 1980s Budapest.
It is now closed but not demolished. Its demise was assured with the arrival of Ikea in the 90s. Below are some pictures of what was available in the shop. |
The Otthon Áruház - the Home Department Store - is on Rákóczi út, close to Keleti station.
On this photograph the name can just be made out on the right (just past the Orion sign) but only half the letters are illuminated. We bought many things from here during our years living in Garay tér. The Divatcsarnok on Andrássy út was one of the best-known department stores.
The floors were stone and there were no escaltors to take you to the third floor, only the central stairway. By the standards of the time, there was a good selection of goods here. (See Then & Now for more pictures of this store.) |