Detsky Mir Department Store in Moscow,Russia
Detsky Mir department store is the dream of every child - and it's been like that for a looong time. Its name is translated as "Children's World" - and the store surely stands up to its reputation!
Built in 1957, it became the biggest toy store in the Soviet Union. Parents from all over the country came there looking for rare toys and clothes - and they always found them. It's not that those toys were so unique - you just couldn't find them anywhere else. It's pretty easy to be a leader when you don't have competition!
Things have changed right after Perestroika - the free market and lack of financing almost brought "Detsky Mir" down. Almost. Then, it regrouped, changed owners and look at it now - Russia's biggest toy retail network, with branches all around the country - and a world-known brand!
I'm so glad it lives on!
When I'm looking at the flourishing store, it's hard to believe it ever suffered from a crisis. These days you'll see a large, spacious historic building, jam-packed with toys, clothes, baby carriages and anything else you could possibly need when you have a child!
Kids raved about it - and I was no exception. Imagine - during the times of Soviet scarcity and deficit, there was a place where all your dreams would come true. Want a tiny railroad? Here you go. A toy car that looks just like daddy's "Volga"? With pleasure! Remote controlled, gas-powered plane? We could think of something. Oh, and that submarine - it can really dive!
There was also that clock. Every hour, the tiny doors on it opened and let out mechanical figurines that moved just like real and made funny sounds. Not much today, but then it was fascinating - especially for a kid. And did I mention the merry-go-round? That's right, there's one just inside the building!
You couldn't have such fun anywhere else - that was the way Soviet economy functioned. But we didn't think in such terms (du-h!), so my poor dad had to take me to the store once in a while if he wanted to keep me quiet!
Today the deficit is gone. Nearly every shopping mall, even the smallest one, will probably have a kids store. That's not to mention monsters like "Savenok"! It was tough for Detsky Mir to survive such a fierce competition - but it managed, and today it's one of the biggest retail networks in Russia!
Its also one of Moscow sights - after all, this building is more than 50 years old. Its not The Kremlin, of course, but its an important part of Moscow history for sure!
I didn't mention it stands on Lubianskaya square, right next to HQ of Russian KGB. Care to drop by?
You can buy pretty much anything in Detskiy Mir these days. Plus, it's a real fun for your kids - they'll love the shining mega mall with tons of toys!
Personally, I'm a fan of board games, like "Monopoly" and "Risk". It's hard to buy an original English game in Moscow, though - we only have localized Russian versions. But - it would be great if you brought one with you.
Kids or no kids - there's nothing like making your wife bankrupt after a busy day in Moscow!
...I'm eeeeeevil! 
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